London – 27 January 2000

Ms Cheryl Gillan MP, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth, formally inaugurated the International Secretariat of MQM in London. Recently MQM had shifted its International Secretariat from Edgware to Colindale. She was welcomed at the International Secretariat by Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of the MQM. She formally inaugurated the Office today. The members of MQM Ladies Wing presented her with a bouquet. Present at the ceremony were Dr Imran Farooq Convenor MQM Co-ordination Committee, Mr Saleem Shahzad, Member of MQM Co-ordination Committee, Mr Mohammad Anwar, Chief Organiser MQM UK & Europe, Mr Tariq Mir, Joint Chief Organiser MQM UK & Europe, other Members of MQM Co-ordination Committee and Members of MQM International Secretariat.

Ms Cheryl Gillan MP visited the various departments of the International Secretariat including the Conference Hall, Committee Room, News Room, Video Room, Record Room, Computer Section and Ladies Wing. She also met with the workers present at the International Secretariat. She also viewed the video films "Genocide" and "Mohajir Women" and expressed her grief and strong protest over the atrocities.

Mr Altaf Hussain briefed her about the situation in Pakistan. He also presented her with various reports on human rights violations in Pakistan. Mr Hussain also presented her with copies of letters sent to the Authorities in Pakistan, the petitions filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and other documents sent to the international community. Ms Cheryl Gillan MP was also presented with a copy of the MQM’s Manifesto and other literature of the party. Later at lunch, she was served with various Pakistani dishes. She remained in the International Secretariat for nearly 90 minutes.

I am delighted to be here at the invitation of MQM to officiate at the opening of these offices and I hope the move from Edgware has gone well - it certainly seems to have.  Pakistan and the United Kingdom have a long and proud association and it is indeed vey sad that the unrest is so great that at the moment there isa continuing security risk following the uncertainty that has been a consequence of teh military takeover and other recent events.

The Mohajir Quami Movement was founded in 1984 and Mr Hussain is no doubt proud of its development since then.  However, the path has not been easy and no doubt will present many challenges in the future.  Within two years MQM rose to prominence becoming the second largest party in Sindh and the third largest nationally.  In its history it has formed alliances with other parties and been in isolation but is has - as is evidenced by its name - a root in combatting human rights violation an aim to which we can all subscribe.

No matter where we see violence against our fellow man we should not hesitate to condemn it and I know of the atrocities particularly against the Mohajirs in the urban centres of Sindh.

Tolerence and inclusion of all groups must be a common aim of us all it is still not a civilised world despite the progress we think we have made.  When men can be held without due process of law, when violence against women is a common occurence, when bombings and executions take place we can all share common cause to condemn them.

I am grateful to the MQM in London for keeping me up to date with issues and events in Pakistan.  Your briefings are frequent and welcome. I hope that these new offices bring you success and enable you to continue to raise the profile of the matters that affest your people and your country and I thank you for inviting me here to open them.  Thank you and may I wish you all well for the future.