ALTAF HUSSAIN ANNOUNCES MQM CANDIDATES FROM SINDH
COMPLETE TEXT OF Mr. ALTAF HUSSAIN’S TELEPHONIC ADDRESS

London – 7^th December 2007

It is 7^th of December today and General Elections are to be held in exactly a month. We had to face ups and downs in the previous parliamentary period. We feared that this parliament will also not complete its term as in the past but despite facing testing times, for the first time in our country’s history the parliament completed its full five year term and as promised and in line with the constitution, general elections are being held in time. These five years were very critical that included the judicial crises, lawyers strike, violence on journalists and the reaction from journalists. And then the leaders of two large political parties of the country were abroad, comments and criticism on them, other puzzles, questions, suspicions and issues which made it hard to comment on them. The spread of Talibanisation in tribal areas, their control, the jirga system and dialogue, disputes with Afghanistan and then the situation in Swat. In the meantime the situation in Balochistan remained tense, Akbar Bugti was killed and now we have been informed that Balach Marri son of Nawab Khair Bukhsh Marri has also been killed. He is a martyr in the eyes of those struggling for the rights of Balochistan. Another important development is the rise in suicidal attacks which continue even today. In spite of all these turmoil the parliament has completed its full term of five years and elections have been announced. The political and religious parties are not yet clear on their line of action; some talk of participating in these elections while others want to boycott.

In the beginning the “Charter of Democracy” was signed and then this pact was broken unannounced; then APDM was formed and differences started within. Then we witnessed the issue of judiciary and judges, strikes, demonstrations and the incident of 12^th May whereby dozens were killed and injured and as usual the MQM was singled out as responsible under a well planned conspiracy. We have footage recorded in various television channels where one can see who was firing. However, even without any proof the MQM was accused of this tragedy whereas 14 MQM workers were murdered in this tragedy. Thousands of MQM workers participated in the rally with their sisters, mothers, wives and children peacefully. Despite all of these facts, MQM was blamed for this tragedy. Unfortunately, this is our political culture to accuse the weak and most vulnerable. MQM was called names such as terrorist organization, fascist organization, mafia type organization and more. MQM has participated in the Local Bodies Elections of 1987 and 2005; and the consecutive General Elections of 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2002 and has emerged as the third largest political party of the country. Some people ask why we claim to be the third largest political party when other groups have more seats? The answer is simple that the group consists of more than one party.

Unfortunately, the outdated medieval feudal system prevalent in the country for the past 60 years also appears to suit the West and the USA, therefore, all the reports issued by western countries and America since 1987 against the MQM have not used positive words for the party. This is because the MQM raised its voice against the “status quo” where the feudal, generals, sardars, waderas and the very rich are ruling over the 98 percent people of Pakistan, making them subservient and suppressing  them so they cannot raise their voice against the injustices. When MQM raised its voice for the 98 percent poor, middle class and downtrodden people of Pakistan then this was not liked by the State those pulling the strings of Pakistani Establishment, i.e. America is at the top of the list. For this reason America has advocated for those who looted the national exchequer and committed extra-judicial executions but did not speak for the party that lost over 15000 workers. Americans can see everything through their satellites but for some reason they don’t see the private jails and dungeons of the feudals where poor are incarcerated and bonded in iron shackles. It is surprising to see on television the political analysts, columnists, historians and political experts debate on why the US gives us dictation? But they never hesitate to approach the US for their personal interests and forget to look towards the Allah Almighty. For example, when Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto were out of the country; did they look towards God Almighty or towards the US?

Pervez Musharraf was blamed for cowing down to the US but is there any leader in Pakistan who have been Prime Minister and did not cow down to the Americans! Why this double standard? Altaf Hussain points out these facts, that is the difference between him and other political leaders.

A lot of people think that after saving a bit of money they will be able to buy a house instead of living in a rented accommodation. But when you don’t have enough money then you approach a bank or a finance corporation for loan to buy a house. And when you buy a house with this loan you always introduce this house as yours or do you say that half is mine and the other half is not ours? The same situation applies to Pakistan. We define Pakistan as independent but we don’t say that half of the country is independent and the other half is on rent. Pakistan is in debt with World Bank, IMF, Japan, France and Britain whereas the aid we receive from these countries is in addition. When your own country is not yours then you have to agree to the terms and conditions of those who provide these loans – you have to take their dictation. This is a logical, principled and rational statement. If we want to become a free and autonomous nation then we should cut down on our lifestyle, do away with corruption, stop neglecting our duties and laziness. Every member of the community including labourers, peasants, people from middle class, waderas, sardars, jagirdars have to work honestly and efficiently; dispose off unnecessary things in our lives, start industries, provide employment, and make products that can be exported to raise foreign exchange so that our foreign reserves reach to such a level that would enable us to repay all our debts and become self-sufficient. Only then Pakistan will be free, independent and sovereign.

You must have seen the puppet show where you can only see the characters but not the fingers behind the curtain that are actually pulling the strings. All parties are accusing General Pervez Musharraf of surrendering to America. The fact is that all the strings of the Islamic countries are pulled by the US and when Benazir and Nawaz Sharif wanted clearance they also approached USA. It is not fair to accuse only one person. The political analysts who appear on television accuse that America is interfering in our internal matters – tell me if America can not interfere then who can? Will it be Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mozambique or Tanzania? We are taking aid and loans from America and approach them for F-16 fighter planes. Who provide funds to fight terrorism, who gave Pakistan 10 billion dollars to fight terrorism? Now if one  give you 10 billion dollars then they will ask you to account for it.

The fact is that poison is poison and it is harmful for everyone. When General Pervez Musharraf assumed power in 1999, the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other judges took oath under PCO because they were ready to take oath and the judges who refused to take oath including Saeed Uz Zaman Siddiqui and Nasir Aslam Zahid were sent on leave. If we assume that PCO was wrong, then oath taken by those judges was also wrong, then why all the political parties and religious parties, the entire lawyers association came out in support of independence of judiciary? How many political and religious parties condemned the taking of oath under PCO at that time in 1999? And why did not they start any campaign at that time? Now once again when oath was taken under PCO on 3^rd November 2007 then the same political and religious parties and lawyers organizations start demanding to restore judiciary to the position of 3^rd November but no one has demanded to restore judiciary to the position of 1999.Why?

Benazir Bhutto remained in exile for 8 years, was it the MQM or Altaf Hussain who sent her abroad or did she go abroad on her own free will? Nawaz Sharif was in prison – was it Altaf Hussain or the MQM who made him go abroad or did he sign an agreement to go abroad? This national leader lied to the nation for 8 years that he has not signed any agreement but afterwards said that the agreement was for 5 years and not 10 years. Can Nawaz Sharif or Benazir Bhutto return to Pakistan without the will and wish of the President and the Army of Pakistan? These parties then demanded that they will not participate in the elections until President Pervez Musharraf removes his uniform, emergency is lifted and elections are held on time. Now that President Pervez Musharraf has retired from his post of army chief, removed his uniform, announced that he will lift the emergency on 16^th December and to hold elections on 8^th January – then these political parties have engineered a new demand that to restore the judiciary to the position of 3^rd November.  If the poison was spread on 3^rd November then it was spread before as well in 1999 – why then they don’t demand to restore the position of 1999? The point is that elections are being held and all political parties should participate, slowly we will bring about change and the democratic process will move forward. Constitution is not heavenly decree; it is formulated by humans and it is changed and amended when required. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and other political leaders formulated the 1973 Constitution – so was it under the constitution that he became the Civil Martial Law Administrator? Did he not make changes in the constitution? Did he not impose emergency? It has been 60 years since the independence of Pakistan; those who practiced corruption and looted the national exchequer in loans worth billions of rupees. Was any one of those ever punished? If we cannot punish these big dacoits then we should free all other prisoners from the country’s prisons. Are jails build only for small time criminals? Is there no accountability for the rich?

MQM is called terrorist because those who have looted the national exchequer dread that if MQM comes to power each and every person who have looted the national exchequer will be duly punished. I am not criticizing a particular person or a small group of persons. I was obliged to quote the examples of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif, otherwise I would not have mentioned their names. I will not name any other politician of the country.

The electronic and print media don’t give due space to the MQM as the third largest political party of the country. I am not criticizing them, I am just expressing my grievance. Hundreds and thousands of people are MQM supporters and MQM represents them. Today MQM has 19 zones in Sindh and God willing a time will come when the MQM will have 1900 zones all over the country.

I respectfully appeal to the political and religious leaders of the country to forget the past and with sentiments of forgiveness let us cleanse our hearts from one another, let us respect each other and serve the country, to rid the country of foreign loans, make it stand on its feet, in the field of economic, education, technology, computer technology and other fields – to progress and lift our country to the status of developed nations. Have patience towards each other, accept each other, do away with the threatening behavior and fraud. Everyone should work towards the prosperity of the country. I take the first step in this regard that if for any reason any political or religious party has had any cause of complaint towards the MQM then I request for your forgiveness. I have now taken the first step. The country is passing through a critical phase, it is in danger – it is not only the responsibility of the MQM and Altaf Hussain but of everyone to come forward to save the country. All the political and religious parties should unite to bring the country out of this phase. Despite all our political differences we must stand as a solid wall to protect our country. We should demonstrate that despite belonging to different political parties we are united in the name of our country and then no one will have the courage to harm Pakistan. Now it is up to other political and religious parties to response with sincerity, love, dedication, and honesty as I have appealed to them in the name of the country with sincerity.