WE WILL SUPPORT ANY SUCH MOVE MADE BY THE PATRIOTIC GENERALS OF THE ARMY
ON THE PATTERN OF MARTIAL LAW TO ABOLISH THE OPPRESSIVE FEUDAL AND TRIBAL POLITICAL
SYSTEM OF THE COUNTRY AND RID THE COUNTRY OF CORRUPT POLITICIANS – ALTAF HUSSAIN

Karachi-22 August 2010

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in a telephonic address from London to a Workers’ Convention held at “Lal Qilla Ground” in Federal “B” Area, Karachi criticised the politicians, feudal and tribal lords and army generals and also lashed out the United States of America for supporting the feudal and tribal lords and the landed aristocracy instead of the masses. He said that Pakistan needs a revolution like the French Revolution to rid the country of corrupt politicians, retrieve the funds looted from national exchequers and abolish the oppressive feudal and political system from the country. He demanded of the patriotic generals and ISI to stop supporting these elements. He said that if the patriotic generals took any steps on the pattern of the Martial Law to rid the country of these corrupt elements, then MQM would support them.

Mr. Hussain dwelt at large on the devastation wreaked by the worst floods in the history of Pakistan and said effects of the natural calamity were compounded by lack of preparation and absence of early warning system. He said that after the earthquake in Kashmir and Northern Areas, billions of dollars were given to Pakistan in aid by foreign donors. He asked as to where did all that money go and why were machinery and other equipment not purchased from that money?  He said that it was time when the people of Pakistan should decide whether they have to work for the feudal lords who could go to any extent to protect their interests at the expense of poor people. He said that the landed aristocracy saved their agricultural lands by breaching the embankments and turning the course of water towards human population. It is these people who do not let go any chance to fleece the poor people.

Speaking about the foreign policy Mr. Hussain said that the foreign policy of the country was not independent. We formulate our foreign policy by taking dictation from foreign powers. As against this our neighbour has a sound and effective foreign policy free from the taint of foreign influences. He said that we could not evolve an effective foreign policy because of the corrupt generals, feudal lords and other vested interest that had no interest in the progress of the country.

Praising Pakistan Army Mr. Hussain said that the Army as an institution has always been sacrificing for the country. He said that army personnel guard our borders even in rough weather conditions. He said that democratic governments in the country have been sacked at the whims of a few generals. If they can dismiss elected governments to protract their rule and also of the corrupt politicians then why can they not take any action to root out the menace of corruption and abolish the oppressive feudal system from the country? He said that if patriotic generals in the army take any action on the pattern of martial law to root out corrupt politicians and abolish feudalism from the country then MQM would support it.

He said that it was time for the people of Pakistan to decide that they would not take dictation from the United States or any other country and bring the country on a sound footing. He said that after Afghan war, the United States made an exit and created a vacuum. Mr. Hussain said that he had always maintained during the Soviet War that Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies should not be dragged into the war of big powers but at that time no one listened. It was declared a war between Islam and infidels and people went at great length in support of the United States. Corrupt general signed secret agreement with western agencies and threw the entire country in the seething cauldron of war. Jihadi camps were set up in the country where militant were trained.  Mr Hussain asked all Pakistanis to come forward and play their due role in saving the country. He said that we should try to empower the poor and middle class of the country.

Mr Hussain praised the relief efforts being done by KKF and asked MQM workers to work to rescue, relief and rehabilitate the flood victims. He said that more than 200 camps have been set up all over the country from where relief goods were being provided to the people. He said that MQM workers would not rest content till every single family affected by flood is rehabilitated.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Conveners of the co-ordination committee Dr. Farooq Sattar and Anees Qaim Khani. Other members of the co-ordination committee that were present include Wasay Jalil, Kanwer Khalid Yunus, Dr. Sagheer Ahmed, Wasim Aftab, Saif Yar Khan, Nasreen Jalil, Shakir Ali, Touseef Khanzada, Salim Tajik, Kaifwul Wara and Dr. Nusrat.