MQM DOES NOT WANT CONFRONTATION WITH ANY PARTY – ALTAF HUSSAIN
Karachi – 15th April 2008....MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that to combat internal and external threat and to promote democracy and national reconciliation in the country the Government and the Opposition must play their role in line with the constitution and the law of the land. He said that MQM does not want confrontation with any party as it only desires peace but if someone thinks that through bullet, ammunition or use of State power they can continue their rule for a long time then we would like to inform them that this is 2008 and not 1992. He expressed these views while addressing a huge gathering of MQM general workers meetings simultaneously in Karachi and Hyderabad. The session was attended by the Members of MQM Coordination Committee, Haq Parast Member of Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assembly, Members of various wings of the MQM, Zonal Committee of MQM Hyderabad and thousands of MQM office bearers and workers. This address was also attended by the office bearers at the MQM International Secretariat and Members of National Assembly of MQM were present in Islamabad.
In his address Mr Hussain condoled with Dr Farooq Sattar and MQM workers on the sad demise of Dr Sattar’s father and prayed for him. During his speech he briefed the MQM workers of the non-serious attitude of the ruling party during negotiations and on the decision of the MQM Coordination Committee to sit in the Opposition. He offered his brotherly advice to the Government and the Opposition to follow the democratic norm and practice and to tolerate each other. Addressing the Opposition he advised them to play a proactive role of a constructive and positive Opposition. He assured the Government that the MQM will play a proactive, positive and constructive role in the Opposition in the Senate, National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. The MQM will wholeheartedly support the positive steps of the Government and will criticize their illegitimate actions.
The Government and Opposition are important part of the democratic process and both have to adopt such an attitude, which is not against the country, democracy and welfare of the people of Pakistan. Both should ensure that democracy flourishes and the process of national reconciliation is promoted. He regretted that certain leaders of the ruling party are issuing threatening statements to replace the Governor and dismiss the City and District Governments. He said that Government can do what they wish to do but they should not issue threatening statements. He said that the MQM remained in coalition government for five years but never resorted to victimize or target their opponent political parties. We want to refrain from confrontation at all cost and would like to promote national reconciliation but those who are issuing threatening statement should beware that the workers, lady workers and elders of MQM are not prepared to take any threat.
An Army Operation was launched against the MQM on 19 June 1992 and at that time it was told that it is against the 72 big fish and their list was also presented in the National Assembly, but it was used to target the MQM of State atrocities. The innocent young workers then are now grown-ups and also the mothers, sisters and elders of the Movement are prepared to courageously face any test. He asked if the workers were prepared to face hard times. Everyone replied vehemently by saying yes. He asked if they agreed with the party’s decision to sit in the Opposition. They replied with a yes. Mr Hussain said that even every child of Sindh knows that the Province never had a Governor like Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan who remains awake till late hours, i.e. 5 am, to resolve the problems faced by the public. Similarly, the City Nazim of Karachi has also been seen working till 4 in the morning.
The City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has performed wonders by completing development projects in a very short time, which has never been done in the past. Moreover, the Haq Parast Nazims, Naib Nazims and Councillors have also worked hard to solve the problems faced by the members of public. It is not just a claim but they have put aside their personal interests and have worked hard. He said that we are not after positions and ministries but we want to serve the people, solve their problems and work for their welfare. We have not made tall claims but have practically proved this whenever given a chance. He said that certain elements are trying to portray MQM as a party confined only to Karachi. They don’t see the MQM workers present in Hyderabad, Sindh, Punjab, NWFP, Balochistan and even in Kashmir. They seem to be unaware of the fact that the MQM has two elected Members in the Legislative Assembly of Azad Kashmir. MQM is the only representative political party of the 98 percent poor, middleclass and downtrodden people of Pakistan and its elected representatives belong to the same class and have not come from the feudal background. He told that the people of Pakistan are coming towards the MQM and God willing a time will come soon when all the conspiracies against the MQM will be defeated and everyone in Pakistan will be holding the MQM flag.
He appealed to the Sindhi, Baloch, Punjabi, Pakhtoon, Seraiki, Hazarewal, Kashmiri and minority workers of the MQM to fully play their role and maintaining the peace and law and order, refrain from emotional reactions, observe and demonstrate peace and patience, not to pay attention to rumours, wait for instructions from the Coordination Committee and not to take any action on their own. He reiterated that the MQM has always appealed for peace, we want peace and we are a peace-loving political party. We don’t want confrontation but the threatening behaviour towards the party should stop otherwise we will also respond in the same tone. He reminded that whosoever on the basis of power has tried to do wrong with the MQM – the nature has taken its due course against that entity within this world. Where there is MQM then there is no fear or cowardice. Fear, cowardice and MQM are opposite to each other. The MQM ‘s brave and determined workers will lay down their lives but will not surrender to oppression. He asked the office bearers of sectors and units to hold corner meetings in their areas and apprise the people of the current situation. He paid tributes and saluted the party workers for their courage and valour. He asked them to promise that they are prepared to face any consequences, remain peaceful and will continue their struggle.