Lahore – 24th December 2005
MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that a handful opportunist jaagirdars (feudal lords) and waderas of Punjab have always mislead the people of Punjab in the name of Pakistan for their personal gains and deprived them of their rights. This act of the opportunist jaagirdars is bringing ill repute for the people of Punjab. He warned that Pakistan does not belong to any one province and the practice of labelling others as traitors and discrimination against smaller provinces must be stopped forthwith. These opportunist jaagirdars and waderas are working towards the disintegration of the country, therefore, the Punjabi youth, students; journalists, intellectuals, writers, lawyers and the poor and middleclass people must come forward to save the motherland. He expressed these thoughts in Lahore while addressing on the occasion of inauguration of the Office of MQM Lahore District Committee and the Advisory Council. Amongst those present were the office bearers of newly formed Lahore District Committee and Advisory Council, workers of MQM Punjab, Members of MQM Punjab Reorganising Committee, MQM Deputy Convenor Dr Farooq Sattar, Members of MQM Coordination Committee and MQM Members of National Assembly.
Mr Hussain said that the people of Punjab being humans they also feel the pains and sufferings of any tragedy or calamity just like the people of other provinces. However, the jaagirdars and waderas of Punjab have always used them for their personal gains in the name of Pakistan and kept them deprived of their rights. To mislead the people of Punjab, these jaagirdars and waderas label the people of Sindh, Balochistan and Pakhtoonkhwah as traitors. Surprisingly, these jaagirdars never fight with the feudals of other provinces and in fact have established relationships through intermarriages. Today, these chauvinist elements from Punjab have commenced the process of disseminating hatred and disgust against the smaller provinces, whereas, the people of smaller provinces have no enmity against the common people of Punjab and they truly consider them as their brothers. This act of the opportunist jaagirdars is bringing ill repute for the people of Punjab. Addressing the people of Punjab Mr Hussain said that they have to listen to hard facts and accept the reality. If there are four brothers in a house and the eldest limits the other three to cultivate only part of their father’s land regardless of this being unacceptable to his three brothers then what should be done? Today the three provinces are not in favour of Kalabagh Dam but the jaagirdars of Punjab are hell bent upon building the Kalabagh Dam. He asked, “Are these three provinces not part of Pakistan?” Should their aspirations be disregarded and they labelled as traitors? How can a common Punjabi wish to deprive the people of other provinces of water? If the people of the three provinces are not in favour of Kalabagh Dam then why is it essential to build this Dam against the aspirations and wishes of the majority of the country’s population thus putting the country at risk? In 1971, aspirations and demands of the majority were suppressed and they were labelled as traitors resulting in the disintegration of the country- similarly, today the voice of majority is being deliberately neglected. Mr Hussain made an emotional appeal to the people of Punjab, particularly the youth, students, journalists, intellectuals, writers, lawyers, the poor and middleclass to come forward, save Pakistan and rid the country of such opportunistic and chauvinist jaagirdars and waderas.
Mr Hussain stressed that he is the friend and well-wisher of the people of Punjab and a true friend always makes positive criticism. He agreed that the people of Punjab are loving but innocent and are easily mislead by the Establishment and jaagirdars. They must beware; pay no attention to the propaganda and not to repeat past mistakes.
Mr Hussain said that if the people of Punjab do not want to join hands with the MQM then they should establish a party like the MQM. He said that it is heartening to see that the Lahore District Committee of the MQM is being announced today and its offices are being inaugurated. In the end he prayed for Pakistan and for an end to all discrimination and for the development of national unity and integrity.