Karachi, May 12 (IANS) The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has launched a nationwide programme, which it calls a "referendum", to seek the opinion of people regarding Pakistan's sovereignty following the Abbottabad raid in which Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed.

MQM leader Anis Qaimkhani said the country was facing a critical situation and questions had been raised about the country's security and sovereignty due to the unilateral US assault May 2 at Osama's hideout in Abbottabad.

"There never was as much need of national solidarity as it is today," Dawn quoted Qaimkhani as saying.

He said MQM chief Altaf Hussain, who is based in London, announced a public referendum so as to steer the country out of the crisis it was facing.

He said a 17-point questionnaire has been prepared for the referendum, which began Wednesday and would continue for a week.

The questionnaire can be filled up and submitted till May 17 after which information would be collated and announced.