Altaf Hussain ask Indian Prime Minister to help to
alleviate the sugar crisis in Pakistan

22 February 2006

Honourable Mr. Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister of India

Dear Prime Minister,

I hope you are in the best of health and spirit. May God grant you ever greater energy, perseverance and strength to direct the multi-faceted affairs of India with resolve and courage and attend to the myriad problems and challenges of the people of India, in particular of the poor and the needy amongst them.

Dear Prime Minister,

You may be aware that in my capacity as the founder and leader of the third largest political party of Pakistan, and second largest of its Southern Province of Sindh, I too have been deeply concerned in the affairs of the people of Pakistan in general, and of the people of Sindh, in particular.

You may also be aware that the people of Pakistan being currently beset with a major crisis on account of an acute shortage of sugar in the country. Climatic reasons have adversely affected the sugarcane crop, resulting in major shortfalls in sugar production.

India, our great neighbour, has been instrumental in alleviating the past sugar crises of Pakistan and the suffering of the common man on this account. India was generous and magnanimous in coming to the aid of common citizens of Pakistan hit hard by soaring sugar prices. Such an occasion, unfortunately, is once again with us, to the dismay of poor consumers of Pakistan.

I’m deeply conscious of the fact that your government has been generous in their support to the victims of last October’s massive earthquake in Kashmir and the northern areas of Pakistan. I’m also mindful of the needs and requirements of the people of India that your government must attend to as a priority.

However, this is one more opportunity for your government, Dear Prime Minister, to add substantially to the initiatives already taken by you towards confidence building between the peoples of India and Pakistan.

If I may be allowed to add, any gesture of generosity from India in alleviating the current sugar crisis in Pakistan would be a very sweet gesture and go a long way in boosting the morale of the people of Pakistan.

I do, fervently, hope, Dear Prime Minister, that you and your worthy colleagues in the Indian government would consider my request sympathetically and take expeditious measures to donate sugar to Pakistan on an urgent basis.

With best wishes and warmest regards.

Yours truly,

Altaf Hussain