MQM warns nationwide protest on Younus' resignation

The MQM came out strongly in support of Younus, who led the national side to the Champions Trophy semifinal in South Africa, and said they would stage protest if Pakistan Cricket Board accept his resignation.
Younus had submitted his resignation to PCB chief Ejaz Butt yesterday during a hearing of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports in Islamabad that discussed the Pakistan team's performance in the eight-nation tournament.
Younus decided to step down protesting the statement made by the Standing Committee Chairman Jamshed Dasti, who had alleged that the team had deliberately under-performed against Australia and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain said in a statement, it is regrettable that some people had framed baseless charges against Younus to defame him which forced him to tender his resignation.
Hussain said that he will appeal to all the members of national team to resign in protest if PCB's governing body accepts the resignation and demanded the government to fire the "elements" present in governing body who had orchestrated the conspiracy against the captain.

The party also demanded action against Dasti.
Butt yesterday made it clear that the matter would not be discussed at the governing council meeting on October 19 as he was responsible for appointing the captain and would meet with Younus this week to resolve the dispute and take back his resignation.
Butt also insisted that he had not accepted Younus' resignation.
The MQM is a coalition partner of the government in Sindh province as well as in the centre and controls Karachi, from where it has won a number of national and provincial assembly seats.