SAVE SINDH -- SAVE PAKISTAN RALLY BY THE MQM

MQM TO ORGANISE A HUGE PUBLIC RALLY ON 14 AUGUST 1999, AT THE INDEPENDENCE DAY OF PAKISTAN

Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has organised to carry out a peaceful "Save Sindh -- Save Pakistan Rally" on 14 August 1999, which will set-off from the Jinnah Ground at Azizabad, Karachi near the MQM Head Office. This rally will then pass through the main streets of Karachi and end at the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi. MQM leaders, Members of Co-ordination Committee elected representatives, office bearers, workers and huge number of MQM supporters will take part in this rally to observe the Independence Day of Pakistan. Mr. Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder and Leader, will address the rally.

It should be recalled that MQM has organised peaceful demonstration campaigns in Pakistan and world-wide to protest against the genocide, illegal raids, arrests, torture and other atrocities committed upon the Mohajir Nation by the successive governments of Pakistan including the present Government of Nawaz Sharif.

A similar rally was carried out on the 9 August 1999, at the end of the first phase of the Hunger Strikes of two weeks carried out by the MQM at the Karachi Press Club. At the end of this rally the MQM leaders presented a petition to the Governor of Sindh. Fearing the same public support for the MQM's "Save Sindh -- Save Pakistan Rally" on 14 August 1999, the Government of Nawaz Sharif through its Agent Syed Ghaus Ali Shah has started a campaign of mass arrests and harassment against the MQM leaders, office bearers, workers and supporters. This campaign is carried out to harass and threaten the general public from attending this rally. On 12 August 1999, heavy contingent of Police raided the temporary office of MQM in Sukkur and arrested more than 45 office bearers and workers. They had gathered to listen to Mr. Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of the MQM, over the phone. The raid was conducted during the speech of Mr. Altaf Hussain.

Similarly today, Mr. Kanwar Khalid Younus, MQM Member of National Assembly of Pakistan and Mr. Ehsan Ullah Khan, Member of Provincial Assembly of Sindh were harassed by the Police. They were blatantly threatened by the Police to discontinue their campaign for the "Save Sindh -- Save Pakistan Rally" organised by the MQM. Raids and arrest of the MQM workers and supporters have intensified during the past three days.