PAKISTANI SHIITES AND SUNNIS DRAW LESSON FROM IRAQI SHIITES AND SUNNIS AND END DIFFERENCES FOR NATIONAL INTEGRATION: ALTAF HUSSAIN

London-1 April 2003
Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) asked Shiites and Sunnis living in Pakistan to draw a lesson from Iraqi Shiites and Sunnis and practically end their differences, once and for all, for the sake of national integration. He said this to a delegation comprising scholars of different sects and religions that had come to meet him at the MQM International Secretariat in London. The members of the delegation interacted with him on the on-going war in Iraq and posed several questions.

Mr Altaf Hussain, responding to the scholars said that changes in the world are rapidly taking place on social, moral and political fronts and predictions, as regard to the future, at this point of time, is not possible. Furthermore, he said that in this fast changing world only those countries would sustain where national integration would prevail over sects, jurisprudences and religions. Elaborating further, he said that only those countries would sustain where each others sects, jurisprudence, religion is respected instead of unjustifiably criticised or targeted, where people are treated in equality and are provided equal share in national wealth and resources.

Mr Altaf Hussain dilating on Iraq war said that the United States, Britain, their allies and policy-makers believed that Iraq would be conquered in a few days and various reasons were provided justifying their belief. He said that main reason given was that the people of Iraq are disgruntled with Saddam Hussain while the second reason was that Iraq is deeply divided on sectarian basis between Shiites and Sunnis and the Shiites majority is against Saddam Hussain. He said that the world is witnessing today that Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq have risen above their sectarian divide and are pitched against the allied forces for the integration of Iraq with whatever little resources are at their disposal.

Mr Altaf Hussain further added that unfortunately in Pakistan each other’s are not only decreed as infidels but even their murders are considered just on the basis of religious jurisprudence and belief. Pondering on this, he said that it is therefore, now imminent, that the Shiites and Sunnis in Pakistan should draw a lesson form Iraqi Shiites and Sunnis, make an announcement of practically ending their divide, once and for all, genuinely embrace each other and vow that Shiites and Sunni are equally Pakistani and their patriotism is above any suspicion. He further said that similarly, religious minorities living in Pakistan are Pakistani nationals and they be embraced as well and not be seen with suspicion so that the concept of one nation be strengthened and only this magnanimity would sustain the country. 

Mr Hussain, concluding his thoughts, said that it was the need of the time that all smaller provinces are equally treated and made genuinely autonomous by devolving rights and power, they be provided their due rights and considered equal citizens to combat the difficult days ahead. The visiting delegation shared his views and thanked Mr Hussain for meeting its members.