NIZAM-E-ADL IS NOT SHARIA BUT A BILL OF TALIBANISATION, MQM WILL NOT SUPPORT IT AT ANY COST ALTAF HUSSAIN

London: 14 April 2009...Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) vociferously claimed that the law “Nizam-e-Adl” passed in the National Assembly had nothing to do with the Sharia but it was a ‘Bill” of Talibanisation tantamounting to stamping a legal system of a particular brand or group and a parallel legal system in the country. He further exhorted that an attempt is being made to give colour of Sharia to the customs and traditions of a tribal system which the MQM would never support. He further added that MQM would never dream of going against the Sharia and hence MQM is not against Sharia but of Talibanisation. Pressing further, he said that the imposition of Taliban’s self proclaimed baton and Kalashnikovs wielding Sharia would not be permitted in the province of Sindh for as long as a single worker of MQM is alive. He said this while addressing an emergency and important meeting of the office bearers of the MQM over the telephone from London at the Khursheed Memorial Hall in Azizabad, Karachi. The Members of the Central Coordination Committee (Rabita Committee), Federal and Provincial Ministers, Advisors, Members of the Senate, Members of the National and Provincial Assembly, City Nazim of Karachi Mr Syed Mustafa Kamal, Deputy City Nazima Mrs. Nasreen Jalil, Town Nazims and Deputy Town Nazims and all the Members of the administrative wings and departments of the MQM participated in this meeting.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that he totally believed in the religion of Islam, oneness of Allah, all the divine books including the Holy Quran and conclusiveness of the prophet hood (Khatm-e-Nabuwat). “We prayed yesterday also, fasted, performed Haj and Umra, even today we perform all the prayers and would continue to pray/practice in accordance with the teachings of Islam until the last breath” he said. Reiterating, he said that yesterday a so-called “Bill” of “Nizam-e-Adl” was approved in the National Assembly that I do not consider a Sharia but traditions and customs of tribal system. Adding further, he said that MQM does not recognise the Baton and Kalashnikovs wielding Sharia but only of the Allah’s and his prophet’s. He asserted that the Members of the Central Coordination Committee in London and Pakistan courageously shunned off pressure of approving the so-called Sharia ‘Bill” of a particular brand or group and his brave Members of the National Assembly opposing the “Bill” inspite of the governmental pressure proved to the world that the MQM is a truly principled and righteous party and neither did recognise the so-called Sharia of Talibans in the past nor even today.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that the Constitution and Parliamentary traditions were totally violated by approving the Bill of “Nizam-e-Adl” in the National Assembly. He stressed that the MQM expressed its reservations when this “Bill” was tabled and sought permission for debate in the National Assembly but were told that there would be no debate and were required to answer only in “Yes” or “No”. He enquired whether was this constitutional practice not to debate over a “Bill”? He said that there exists the Constitution of 1973 in the country which was signed and approved by all the political and religious leaders but an attempt had been made to prove that the Constitution of 1973 was un-Islamic by approving the Bill of “Nizam-e-Adl” He said that while Session, City, District, High Courts, Supreme Court and the law of the land were in existence then why a so-called “Bill” of a particular brand or group was passed for a particular area and thus a seal of approval of  the National Assembly created a dual legal system.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that people believing in different Sunni schools of thoughts followed the Islamic edicts and teachings guided by Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa RH, Hazrat Imam Malik RH, Hazrat Imam Shafai RH and Hazrat Imam Humbal RH while the Shiites followed the edicts and teachings of Hazrat Imam Jaffar Sadiq RH. He said that followers of the Ahl-e-Sunnat and Braveli faiths are suggesting that a “Bill” in accordance with their beliefs should be tabled and approved in the National Assembly after the imposition of the so-called Bill of “Nizam-e-Adl”. Similarly, Shiites are claiming that they were being termed infidels and killed for the past 62 years; hence a “Bill” should be approved in the National Assembly in accordance to their belief, also. “Tomorrow, the followers of Shafai, Humbli and Malki beliefs would also ask to have a “Bill” passed in accordance with their jurisprudence and if this arrangement continues then where would this stop?

Mr Altaf Hussain said that threatening calls were being received warning that the same Sharia would be imposed in Sindh province also but making Allah and his prophet witnesses we have declared that no one would dare to impose “Kalashnikovs and Baton Wielding” Sharia and the MQM would never permit the imposition of the so-called Sharia at any cost in Sindh. He further added that he would not accept the so-called Sharia in fear of the gun-power of Talibans causing terror and barbarism. He said that if the MQM was to be scared then we would have been while the workers of the MQM were killed and blood was shed in every nooks and crannies of the city during Military Operation that commenced on 19 June 1992. Workers of the MQM and the people fear none except Allah and feared none in the past, nor today or even in the future. He said that Talibans were created during the war against USSR (United States of Socialist Russia) and they created their so-called Sharia. He said that we did not become Muslims by swearing allegiance to Talibans and not a believer of their Sharia but believed in the Sharia pronounced by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) 1400 years ago. He said that the imposers of the so-called Sharia demonstrating their barbarism publicly flogged the 16 years old hapless Pakhtun girl in Swat, slaughtered the neck of persons believing in other schools of thoughts and security personnel like animals and blew up girls school, opposed women having education and employment whereas the religion of Islam never proscribed women from having education and employment. He said that the Holy Quran has proscribed or forbidden suicide while Talibans preached suicide.                 

Mr. Altaf Hussain said that Pashtoon have great respect for the Pushto Poet Rehman Baba but those who were forcing the so-called “Sharia” down the throats of  the public blew the mausoleum of Rehman Baba. They also locked up the 3 hundred years old shrines of Muslim saints. They also targeted the visitors to the shrines. Last month they bombed a mosque of Brailvi sect in Jamrood. An Imam Bargah in Chakwal was blown up by a suicide bomber killing scores of innocent worshipers and wounding hundreds. They also attacked the Police Training Centre and Sri Lankan Cricket team in Lahore and declared those who do not accept their version of Sharia as infidels. In fact, they are negating the very spirit of Islam and violating the sayings of Holy Prophet (PBUH).  Mr Altaf Hussain pointed out that the saints of Islam who preached tolerance, peace and love for humanity whereas the barbaric Talibans are desecrating the shrines of those saints. The Nizam-e-Adl “Bill” was nothing more            than the agreement with the Taliban that has been rubber stamped by the Parliament at gun point, which was lamentable. He said that on the face value of this “Bill” all the religious and political parties voted for this bill that would have dire consequences for the country in the future. The MQM is the only party that stood its ground and refused to vote in its favour. MQM is not scared, Talibans may target it as much they like but we would not compromise on principles.

Mr. Altaf Hussain also appealed to the Parliamentarians of every party not to accept the evil of Talibanisation and raise their voice against it. MQM believes in the welfare of mankind and has always preached respect for every religion and sect regardless of cast, colour, creed and gender.  To target human beings for their religious or sectarian beliefs was down right wrong. MQM felt that all sects and religions had the right to practice their faiths in any manner that they deem fit. Finally, Mr. Altaf Hussain asked all MQM workers to go round every street and every house and inform the public about the curse of Talibanisation.