MQM IS A PEACE LOVING PARTY, WHICH IS AGAINST ALL SORTS OF
TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 25^th February 2008....MQM Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that MQM is a peace loving party, which is against all sorts of terrorism and violence. MQM has accepted the mandate of all other parties and wishes that its mandate is also accepted with open heart. Addressing the international community and foreign observers he asked them to take notice of threatening and provocative statements against the MQM. He reminded that the women workers of the MQM have played a key role in the historic victory of the MQM. He was addressing a ladies convention held at the Lal Qila Ground in Azizabad, Karachi.

Mr Hussain said that MQM opponents unleashed a reign of terror upon MQM polling agents particularly women polling agents in various constituencies of Karachi, however, they remained steadfast and demonstrated exemplary courage and for that they deserve my tributes. Women’s role in the MQM struggle has always been vital. After the commencement of the army operation against the MQM on 19 June 1992 the men were forced to go into hiding and at that time it was the ladies and elders of the MQM who came forward and kept the Nine Zero open. Women have been tortured, baton charged, faced illegal raids on Nine Zero and harassed but the opponents witnessed that these women demonstrated courage and steadfastness and broke all records of bravery.

Mr Hussain said that before and after the elections he spoke of peace, love and to tolerate each other and even congratulated Asif Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Asfandyar Wali. We said that we respect everyone’s mandate and want our mandate to be accepted with open heart. But this was not reciprocated by other political leaders and provocative statements were issued against the MQM. We have never requested or pleaded to be part of the government but for some reason certain PPP leaders are saying not to include the MQM in government. If such elements are so honest and brave then they should appear on television and tell the nation which MQM leader has begged them to include the MQM in government. We are talking of peace, harmony and brotherhood in Sindh but provocative statements are being issued against us and it is being said that there are reservations against the MQM. He said that we too have reservations. Each and every mother and sister of the MQM is heart broken, our workers were murdered during the PPP rule, not a single lane was spared. There was a time when all the male workers were in hiding and the female workers had to perform the duty of burying our workers who were extra judicially killed. Thousands of our workers were extra-judicially killed. Despite all the oppression we are talking love and peace. During the PPP rule, everyday we use to receive news of our workers being killed. When my elder brother Nasir Hussain and nephew Arif Hussain were illegally arrested then I prayed to Allah Almighty to grant me courage and strength. For three days they waited for me to call for the release of my brother and nephew. When I refused to surrender then my brother and nephew were taken to Gadap and shot dead from close range. After killing my nephew, his forehead was split in two with an axe. My companions in London tried to conceal this news from me but on my insisting they showed me the photographs received on fax. Then I recognized my brother and nephew and prayed once again to Allah Almighty to grant me courage and strength.

MQM does not want confrontation with anyone. MQM want to improve the law and order situation in Sindh and to work for the prosperity and progress of Sindh and Pakistan. But if our peaceful policy is being taken as our weakness then I want to inform that alongside our male workers, our female workers are also ready to face any situation. Referring to a newspaper news from Karachi where MQM is being threatened with the names of Naseerullah Babar and Abdullah Shah; Mr Hussan warned that hundreds and thousands of men and women workers of MQM are prepared to sacrifice their lives but will not surrender to any oppressor.

Addressing the international community and foreign observers he asked them to take notice of threatening and provocative statements against the MQM. He reiterated that MQM is a peace loving party and is against all sorts of violence and terrorism. But if provocative statements, oppression and force is used to disturb the situation then MQM should not be held responsible. We too are human beings and want to be respected and will not do any deal that will jeopardize our sanctity and respect. MQM believes in live and let live and wants its mandate to be accepted. Therefore, the international community should take notice of threats from our opponents. During our 5 year in coalition not a single worker of any opposition political party was extra-judicially killed, we did not carry out any victimization on political grounds, and in fact worked hard to develop Karachi and to serve the people indiscriminately. Water was provided to areas like Lyari and Kemari, which have been waiting for water for the past 60 years. MQM is an ideological movement and has no desire to enter into Government. The reason for MQM’s struggle is to abolish the medieval feudal system from the country and to attain the rights of poor and middle class people of Pakistan. MQM respects women’s rights and it struggled to pass the women rights bill from the national assembly. MQM has alerted the nation against the menace of karo-kari (honour killing). He asked the women workers should the MQM trade its respect? The women replied, “No”. He once again reiterated not to talk of spreading hatred in Sindh or confrontation. He appealed to make the centre of peace, to help Sindh progress and prosper and to work to bring about economic progress so that poor people can benefit. If there is peace in Sindh then Sindh will progress and so will Pakistan. The elements who claim to see peace and progress in Sindh must talk of supporting each other and defeat those who want to pit us against each other. This also is the message of Sain Shah Latif. Such elements are traitors of Sindh.

Mr Hussain said that today’s session and the attendance of thousands of womenfolk is a testament that MQM’s mandate has to be accepted and respected. MQM is the Movement of righteous people. He paid tributes to the women workers for their role in the struggle and praised their courage and steadfastness.