BALOCH ARE NOT TERRORISTS, THEY ARE DEMANDING
THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS – ALTAF HUSSAIN
 

London, 19 Feb. 2005: A six member delegation of Baloch Action Committee led by Mr. Khalid Lango, met Mr. Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) at the International Secretariat, London. Other members of the delegation were Mr. Abdul Samad, Mr. Abdul Rehman Talpur, Mr. Jehanzeeb Baloch, Abdullah Baloch and the president of United Baloch Foundation Mr. Riaz Baloch. In the meeting MQM’s Acting Convenor Tariq Jawaid, and members of Coordination committee M. Anwar, Tariq Meer, Wasay Jalil and Mohammad Ashfaq were also present.

The Baloch delegation informed Mr. Altaf Hussain that the people of Balochistan are demanding their fundamental rights but the establishment is bent upon suppressing our voice and is ready to launch a military operation against us. Members of the delegation admitted that, in fact, no one raised their voice against the military operation against Mohajirs in 1992 but, the MQM, even being in the government demonstrated courage and raised the voice against military operation in Balochistan.  This has induced strength to the people of Balochistan. Every one of Balochistan is up-lauding his courage and they feel that they are not alone in their struggle for rights. Members of the delegation told Mr. Altaf Hussain that the people of Balochistan are eternally grateful to him for raising his voice for their rights.

Mr. Hussain praised the sentiments of the delegates and told them that by raising the voice for Baloch people he fulfilled his duty because, he felt that all oppressed nations including Baloch should be given their rights and the suppression of struggle for rights by using force is not a solution. He said that it is essential that the struggle of Baloch people for their rights should not be termed as terrorism.  The Government should listen to them and their grievances should be redressed. He said that if any kind of operation is launched against the Baloch people then the MQM would not support such kind of action.

Mr. Altaf Hussain said that in the past, through conspiracies, the oppressed nations were pitched against each other but, now oppressed nations have understood these conspiracies, and they are now uniting for their rights. Mr. Hussain told to the delegation, kindly convey our message to the people of Balochistan that we are completely supporting their struggle for rights and in this struggle we are with them.