MESSAGE OF QUAID-E-TEHREEK ALTAF HUSSAIN
ON 57^TH. INDEPENDENCE DAY OF PAKISTAN

Karachi 13 August 2004  Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in his message on 57^th. Independence Day of Pakistan said that to save the remainder of Pakistan, sustain her independence in accordance with the spirit and essence and save her from the dangers confronted today, mistakes of the past must not be repeated. He said that citizens of the country instead of being discriminated must be treated in equality irrespective of his or her colour, race or ethnicity, language, region, province, sects, schools of thought and religion. He further said that now that the country is celebrating its 57^th. Independence Day then at this juncture impartial analyses, as citizens of Pakistan must be made that what have we gained and lost during these 57 years for the nation? Have we achieved the objectives for which Pakistan came into existence on 14^th August 1947? Have all the citizens of Pakistan achieved their civil rights? The answers to these questions would be definitely in negative if realistically analysed. He emphasised that no one can refute the fact that the Muslims of the sub-continent attained homeland, which came into existence on 14^th. August 1947 after having struggled for years and making unparalleled sacrifices that fragmented in 1971 thus we lost half of Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan in 1971.

Mr Altaf Hussain stated that after the mysterious death of Quaid-e-Azam and the murder of his lieutenant Khan Liaquat Ali Khan in a public rally in Rawalpindi, the feudal oligarchy, bureaucracy and the establishment established their domination over the country who were in fact, loyal to the British during British occupation and against the Freedom Fighters who were struggling against the British Occupation. This class occupied all resources and country’s administration while enslaved the poor and oppressed people of the country. He reiterated that this class preferred to dismember Pakistan in 1971 instead of giving rights to their own fellow Bengali countrymen. Similarly, the people of Balochistan, NWFP (North-West Frontier Province) and Sindh provinces were termed traitors; their voices were suppressed through use of brute state power. He further said that unfortunately, no lesson was learnt from the tragedy of the dismemberment of the country and these practices are going on unabated, even now.

Mr Altaf Hussain claimed that the tragedy is that the feudal and tribal lords loyal to the British colonialists are today considered most patriotic while the supporters of the Pakistan Movement and those sacrificed every thing for the creation of Pakistan being accused of treachery. He added that instead of giving them their rights, their voices have been suppressed through the use of brute power. We have to consciously decide on this occasion of 57^th. Pakistan’s Independence Day whether the remainder of Pakistan is dear to us or the inequitable and barbaric practices and policies. If this way of thinking and actions are not changed then it would not be fruitful in any way for the remainder of Pakistan. If we want the integrity and stability of the country then we have to treat all the citizens of the country in equality, they all have to be given their due rights and all types of discrimination will have to be shelved.

Addressing and congratulating all Pakistanis on the 57^th. Independence Day, Mr Altaf Hussain appealed to the people to unite to dismantle the prevalent medieval feudal political system from Pakistan and practically struggle to establish an “Egalitarian Order or Middle Order” and only then the incomplete independence of the country could be completed and objectives of the creation of Pakistan be achieved.