MQM TO CONTEST UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS FROM ALL OVER PAKISTAN - ALTAF HUSSAIN

Karachi - 5 April 2002

Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has declared that if the MQM Coordination Committee decides to participate in the upcoming General Elections then by the Grace of Allah Almighty the MQM would contest from all over Pakistan.  He was speaking to the Members of MQM Coordination Committee and the MQM Election Cell at the MQM Head Office at Azizabad in Karachi, Pakistan.

Mr Hussain said that MQM is a true democracy loving party, which believes in democratic principles and peaceful struggle.  MQM does not believe in "politics for power"; instead its motto is to serve the oppressed and distressed people.  MQM is the true representative political party of the middle class, which is not only struggling for the rights of the Urdu Speaking people but also for all the oppressed and poor people from all over Pakistan, who are bounded in the shackles of the medieval feudal system for the past 54 years and deprived of their rights.

Mr Hussain said that if the Coordination Committee decides to participate in the upcoming General Elections then by the Grace of Allah Almighty, the MQM would contest from all over Pakistan and would nominate its candidates in all the four provinces.

Mr Hussain highly praised and expressed his appreciation to the members of Coordination Committee, Tanzeemi Committee, Sindh Organising Committee, Muttahida Organising Committee, APMSO, Labour Division, Ladies Wing, Elders Wing, Legal Aid Committee, Medical Aid Committee, Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation, Graduate Forum, Election Cell and other departments, zones, sectors and units.  He said that he felt proud and honoured because of his determined, courageous, loyal and ideological workers in particular and the people in general, who despite facing the State terrorism never left his side for even a moment.  Who despite all the impediments, raids, arrests, atrocities and unfavourable circumstances remained steadfast and continue to strive for the cause of the Movement.  Mr Hussain said, "I do not have material wealth, however, the Allah Almighty has granted me the wealth of love and loyalty of my workers, mothers, sisters and the people, which could not be bought from anywhere in the world."  Mr Hussain specially praised the efforts of the Members of the MQM Election Cell.