ELDERS OF MUTTAHIDA ARE IDEOLOGICALLY STRONG

ELDERS OF MUTTAHIDA ARE IDEOLOGICALLY STRONG – ALTAF HUSSAIN

Karachi-10 August 2004
Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), on Sunday, addressing the office bearers of the Elders Wing at the Head Office of the MQM in Karachi commonly known as “Nine Zero” from London said that the practical steps, character and actions of the elders during the testing times have always manifested that their ideological resolve and determination has been equally strong as youth workers of the party. During his address, the members of the Central Co-ordination Committee were also present.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that MQM is such an ideological Movement that it makes impossible possible and its innumerable examples are on record in the history of MQM.

He further added that no one could refute that elders as a result of their old age and illnesses usually could not perform as youths do. He reiterated that however, the elders of Muttahida Quami Movement’s Elders Wings are different than normal and their performance of duties with zeal and determination during extreme conditions has prevailed them over youthful workers and their experiences have also benefited them. He said that 8^th. August is the “Day of Affirmation” of the Elders Wing and this day cannot be separated from the history of MQM.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation (APMSO) was founded in 1978 and its students after having completed their education founded MQM in 1984. At that juncture, many claimed MQM to be a group of emotional youths and said that they will not last. But on the occasion of the MQM’s first historical public rally on 8^th. August 1986 at Nishtar Park when it was torrentially raining, the enemies of the MQM were jubilant that the public rally would fall apart due to torrential rain but demonstration of exemplary discipline that proved that MQM was there to stay. It was the eighth year and eighth day of the eighth month as the Movement that was formed in 1978 and it was resolved on that day that if the rain could not deter our determination then the rain of bullets would not even force us to leave the ideology and struggle.

Mr Altaf Hussain stated that on 19^th. June 1992, a dawn attack was launched with the view to crush MQM and with the passage of time, the unlawful use of the state machineries intensified and bullets were sprayed, homes were converted into mourning houses, blood bath was committed and coffins raised from every neighbourhoods. At that juncture, the enemies of the MQM were jubilant that now MQM would be finished but now the world stands witnessed that despite all brutalities and barbarism, MQM is intact today. He said that during the state operation against the MQM when the stage camt to open the MQM office, the brave elders opened the office without fearing the consequences and suffered all atrocities, underwent pain and agony of arbitrary detentions and many of them were brutally tortured to death in custody but all brutalities could not repress the determination and resolve of the elders. During the General Elections when deploying youthful workers as polling agents in the “No Go Areas” was imprudent then the courageous elders proved that in testing times they did not runaway giving excuses of being old age or illnesses but served as polling agents with bravery. He further added so-called Mullahs talk about Islam but there appear contradictions in their statements. The elder workers of Muttahida are the true symbol of the Islamic teachings who in difficult times ask the youth to remain behind when they remain in the forefront while the Mullahs exploit youths to go to Iraq and Kashmir to wage Jihad while they themselves escape to go by excusing about their old age and illnesses. The meeting of the Elders Wing on the eighth day is itself a proof that it is the “Day of Affirmation” of the true ideological workers of the party because they had first affirmed their determination for struggle on 8^th. August 1986. Concluding his speech, he congratulated to the workers of the Elders Wing for their invaluable services they are rendering to the party and also paid tribute to Late Mohammad Yousuf Khan, Late Bashir Farooqi, Late Shakil Ahmed Zia, Late Masroor alias Matru Cha Cha, Late Muzahir Hussain, Late Munir Cha Cha, Late Ayub and others for their services and prayed that Almighty Allah rest their souls in peace.