London – 16 December 2000
Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) while addressing a group of Pakistanis at the International Secretariat in London has stated that 16 December 1971 is remembered as a “Dreadful Day” in the history of Pakistan. On 16 December 1971, the Pakistan created by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was dismembered. From 16 December 1971 to 16 December 2000, the nation and its leaders have yet to figure out the reasons behind the dismemberment of Pakistan. Mr Hussain said that when a child breaks something in the house then the parents teach that child not to commit the same mistake again so as to prevent further damage. He said that it was not a glass or any other household item broken on 16 December 1971, in fact, the country, which was created as a result of the sacrifices of millions of lives, was dismembered – the two-nation concept was shattered. Not only millions of hearts were broken but also millions of human beings were murdered. Ninety-three thousand army personnel surrendered. However, to date, we are still unable to learn about the reasons for the Fall of Dhaka. The nation has not been able to discover the facts. After thirty years, the nation has only learnt that Fall of Dhaka is a thing of the past and should be forgotten. The only other thing that the nation was able to learn about the Fall of Dhaka are the allegations levelled against each other by the national leaders, on duty and retired military generals. The Hamood Ur Rehman Commission Report has not been published. The Liaquat Ali Khan’s murder report has not been presented to the nation. The report on the destruction of the C-130 plane carrying Zia Ul Haq and other 22 high military officials has not been presented before the nation. The investigation on the incident of Ojhri Camp has not been disclosed. The most recent and “sad incident of accountability”, i.e. the mystery of the overnight release of Nawaz Sharif and his family and their exile from the country, has also not been made public.
Mr Hussain said that after going through the points raised in this statement can any learned person claim that we are one nation? Our country, Pakistan, is in fact, a sovereign and independent country? He said, “honourable and brave nations learn from their mistakes, therefore, I earnestly appeal to my countrymen to learn from the bitter experiences of the past and every citizens should now fulfil his obligations because its is no use to make any demand in this regard to the rulers and power barons of the country.”
Moreover, a Fateha Khwani (recitation of the Holy Quran) to commemorate the martyrs of the debacle of East Pakistan and pray to Allah Almighty to bless their souls was organised at the MQM International Secretariat in London. Workers and supporters of the MQM United Kingdom Unit and other Pakistanis from all over the United Kingdom attended this Fateha Khwani.
Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), while addressing the participants asked all the national and religious parties, his countrymen and those at the helm of affairs, what was the offence and crime of the stranded Pakistanis, who for the past 30 years are living in the 66 Red Cross Camps in Bangladesh? The stranded Pakistanis fought alongside the Pakistan Army for the integrity and honour of the country. However, the people at the helm of affairs and the national and religious parties have forgot these helpless and destitute stranded Pakistanis. Whereas these stranded Pakistanis go to sleep every night in the hope to hear the good news of their repatriation to Pakistan when they awake the next morning. It is very sad and regrettable that we have completely forgotten the stranded Pakistanis. In the end, Mr Hussain appealed to the national and religious parties and people at the helm of affairs to peacefully struggle for the honourable repatriation of the stranded Pakistanis. Mr Hussain also demanded of the people at the helm of affairs to immediately bring back the stranded Pakistanis.