U.S Counselor Brian D. Hunt met Altaf Hussain in London
The floods in Pakistan, bilateral US-Pakistan relations, the role of Local government in
the relief efforts and the current political situation in Pakistan were broadly discussed in the meeting
US must never forget the bold sacrifices of the gallant nation of Pakistan-Altaf Hussain
MQM played a very pivotal and monumental role in the October 2005 earthquake-Brian Hunt

London: 21-August, 2010
Former Consulate General of US in Lahore and currently a Political Liaison Officer at the US Embassy in Islamabad. Mr. Brian D Hunt had a comprehensive and detailed meeting with Founder and Leader of MQM Mr. Altaf Hussain at MQM international Secretariat in London. The meeting lasted for more than 3 hours, and the key issues discussed were the floods in Pakistan, bilateral US-Pakistan relations, the War on Terror, the role of the armed forces in the relief efforts for the flood victims, the role of Local government in the relief efforts and the current political situation in Pakistan.

The profound loss of lives and property was deeply felt by Mr. Brian Hunt. Mr. Altaf Hussain vividly expressed the fact to Mr Brian D Hunt that, the current floods and deluge has left millions of Pakistanis without food and shelter. The situation is getting dire with time and people are taking the risk of drinking the tainted water of the flood owing to lack of resources and aid. Rather these millions of souls, who have suffered heavily owing to the floods and deluge, are still in a very dismal state of affairs on a general basis. Mr Altaf Hussain, further stated that Pakistan’s citizens and armed forces are making pertinent sacrifices in the war on terror, and the west especially the US must never forget the bold sacrifices of the gallant nation of Pakistan.

Mr Altaf Hussain was of the view that now is the time that the international community, must unite and help Pakistan unconditionally and in a magnanimous manner, in it’s hour of need on fiscal and material basis, so that millions of lives can be saved and rehabilitated.  Pakistan is passing through a very adverse situation, and members of the US Congress especially the Senate, must be quick in giving US aid to Pakistan and not link it in any manner with the Kerry-Lugar Bill. To a question of Mr. Hunt, Altaf Hussain responded that if the local body system was intact and functional the quantum of the damage to the people and property could have been reduced. The local body system was a guarantee parse, that the people’s mandate and benefit would be pursued on a prompt basis.

However Mr. Altaf Hussain was critical of US policy on some regional and geo-political issues, rather he suggested that US policy must be pragmatic with respect to the ground realities. MQM is the only secular, liberal and democratic party in Pakistan that not only represents the poor and middle class of the country. Also it is the only party that has stood against religious extremism since its inception and will continue to do so. MQM is striving for a more tolerant, liberal and democratic society at large. Mr. Hunt assured Altaf Hussain that the US honors and respects the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war on terror. Mr. Hunt further went on to say, that the US shall never waiver in it’s support for Pakistan and shall continue to help Pakistan especially with these floods.

 Mr. Hunt also stated that the MQM played a very pivotal and monumental role in the October 2005 earthquake, which was also a profound tragedy parse and is still upholding its track record in light of the floods. Members of the MQM central coordination committee were also present in the meeting.