A NEW HISTORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN IN THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE WORLD: ALTAF HUSSAIN

WOMEN MUST BE EMPOWERED FOR A PROSPEROUS PAKISTAN

KARACHI: 19^TH FEBRUARY 2012

Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has said that Pakistan cannot become strong unless the women were empowered. He said that it was necessary to empower the women. He said this while addressing a mamoth public meeting of the women at the Bagh-i-Quaid-i-Azam beside the tomb of the father of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 19^th February 2012.

Mr Hussain said that the historic women public meeting was the splendid display of national unity as women from all ethnic and religious backgrounds were present in the ground in the huge number. He said that it was a clear message for everyone that we are united and we will remain united under the flag of the MQM.

Mr Hussain said that a new chapter has been written in the political history of the world in the shadow of the tomb of the Quaid-i-Azam by this mammoth meeting. He said that other political parties had been making tall claims about holding large public meeting in the Bagh-i-Quaid-i-Azam, but the MQM has demonstrated that even the women of the MQM were sufficient to meet the challenge of the opponents.

Mr Hussain said that it was Allah alone who brings honour for whomsoever He wills and debases whomsoever He wills. He said that the public meeting of the women was the largest not only in Pakistan and south Asia but across the world.  

Mr Hussain said that it was considered inappropriate for the women to take part in politics before the MQM, but the MQM brought women on the political landscape of the country. The MQM had held the first public meeting of the women on 15^th July 1988, which was also a record at that time. Another historic meeting of the women was organized by the MQM in the Nishtar Park in June 2005.

Mr Hussain said that the women had played a historic role in the struggle of the MQM. It were the women who came forward and raised the flag of the MQM during the repressive state operation clean-up in 1992. They had opened Nine Zero and waged a relentless struggle when even taking the name of the MQM was made a serious crime. They had held the funeral of their loved ones, suffered hardships and went to jail but did not swerve from their path. They remained steadfast without losing hope.  

Speaking about the protests by the women in Islamabad regarding the recovery of their missing loved ones Mr Hussain said that more than 15000 MQM workers were put to death during ruthless operation against the MQM and 28 workers of the MQM were still missing. He said that the missing workers of the MQM should also be found whose fate was still unknown despite the passage of such a long period of time. It was not even known if they were alive or dead.

He expressed his sympathy with the women and children protesting in Islamabad for the recovery of their loved ones and demanded for their speedy recovery.

Mr Hussain said that he could understand the pains of those who have lost their loved ones. He said that his elder brother and nephew were also killed in a brutal manner.

Mr Hussain said that it was only the MQM that had been raising voice for gross injustices committed against the women in the country. Whether it was Shaista Almani, Dr Shazia or Dr Afia Siddiqui, the MQM always raised its voice in a forceful manner. He demanded USA that Dr Afia Siddiqui should be released on humanitarian grounds.

Mr Hussain said that the enemies of the MQM not only committed injustices against the MQM but also spread vicious propaganda against it. He said that it was given out that the MQM was the enemies of the people whereas the MQM, in reality, was only the enemy of the oppressive feudal system in the country. MQM was the enemy of those only who committed injustices against common people, particularly the women of the country.  

Mr Hussain said that the world had entered the 21^st century and the women were working shoulder to shoulder with the men in other parts of the world. The situation was completely different in Pakistan where women were discriminated against in every sphere of liFE and forced to live a life of subjugation.  

Mr Hussain regretted that there were places in Pakistan where women did not have even their basic human rights, and they were forced to live in subhuman conditions. He said that the condition of the women in the rural areas was particularly deplorable where they were treated like animals.

Mr Hussain said that there were areas in Pakistan where women did not have the right to vote or contest elections. He said that a woman had dared to file his nomination papers in the elections three years ago, but she was killed mercilessly.  

Mr Hussain said that it was highly unfortunate that evil customs like karo-kari, honour killing, vani and marriage of the helpless women with the Holy Quran were not uncommon. He said that women had been buried alive in Pakistan, and it was given the name culture.  

Mr Hussain said that incidents of karo-kari, gang rape, and throwing of acid on the faces of the women, shaving their hairs and cutting off their body parts was highly shameful and an ugly blot on the face of the society. He said that frequently women were paraded naked in the streets which were the worst form of indignity to women.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM was against these evil customs, cruelties and injustices and not against anyone in the country. He said that the MQM wanted to emancipate the women and restore their dignity in the society. He said that the MQM would deliver women from such cruel oppression by introducing stringent laws and ensuring their strict implementation.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM had been agitating about the rights of the women in all the legislative bodies of the country. Whether it was National Assembly, Senate or the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, the MQM raised voice for the rights of the women in a vigorous manner.

Mr Hussain said that it was because of the efforts of the MQM that the Women Protection Bill was passed by the parliament. He said that the MQM had also introduced legislation in the Sindh Assembly about karo-kari, honour killing and domestic violence. He said that the MQM had not only raised voice but done actual work.

Mr Hussain said that the women constituted over 52 per cent of the population. He said that they should be given equal share in every sphere of life, which was their due right. He said that the MQM was a democratic political party, and it wanted to establish a system in the country where everyone had equal right and equal access to opportunities, including women.  

Mr Hussain termed the mammoth public meeting of the women at Bagh-i-Quaid-i-Azam a revolution in its own right and said that other parties merely talked about revolution. He said that all other parties could not organize such a huge gathering, even if they joined hands.

Mr Hussain said that if the citizens had equal rights, the concept of minority will cease to exist. He said that the MQM wanted to bring the system in the country based on pure merit. The MQM wanted to bring to an end the prevailing dynastic political culture from the country that was a monstrosity of the highest order.

Mr Hussain asked the women to equip themselves about the political philosophy and ideology of the MQM. He said that the manifesto of the MQM was based upon the last address of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) which clearly enunciated that all people were equal.

Mr Hussain said that the age-old feudal system should be abolished from the country and educated people from the poor and middle class should also have the right to take part in politics. He said that political landscape should not be monopolized by the rich feudal lords only.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM wanted to end gender discrimination and give equal opportunities to women. He said that the MQM would make a society where women going out for education or for job were not looked at with an evil eye.  

Mr Hussain particularly spoke about the explosive situation in Balochistan and said that the policies of the establishment had brought the largest province of Pakistan on the brink of separation from the country. He said that he had been crying to solve the Balochistan problem, but no one paid attention. The situation has worsened to such an extent that resolutions were being passed in the parliaments of other countries for the grant of the right of self-determination for the Balochi people. He warned that it was already late and bold steps would have to be taken if Balochistan was to be kept inside Pakistan. He said that all legitimate rights of the people of Balochistan should be granted without further delay. He said that if no solution was found then Balochistan might be lost.

In the end Mr Hussain appealed to men to show dignity to women. He particularly asked the people living in the rural areas not to condemn women for giving birth to the female children.  

Mr Hussain thanked everyone to organized this mammoth gathering including the ladies wing and other departments of MQM. He also pays tribute to media personals and anchor persons specially the women anchor persons who tried their best for the coverage of this historical event.