FROM KARACHI TO KASHMORE SINDHI SPEAKING WILL JOIN HANDS WITH THEIR URDU-SPEAKING BROTHERS – ALTAF HUSSAIN

 

Nawabshah: 22 January 2001

 

MQM leader Mr. Altaf Hussain has demanded for an immediate release of Sindh’s share of water supply and in the NFC Award, he was talking to Sindhi journalists and people of all ages after his address in Nawabshah.  On the question about Sindho Desh he remarked that JSQM considers independence is the only solution to the problems of Sindh whereas we seek complete provincial autonomy within the Federation of Pakistan, according to the spirit of 1940 resolution – provinces should be free of Federal interference and run their affairs independently. But if the establishment continues to usurp the rights of Sindh by force like they did in 1971, then no one will pay heed to Altaf Hussain and everyone may raise the same slogan as raised by the JSQM.

 

While commenting about ARD’s plan to launch a campaign against military rule Mr. Altaf Hussain said that MQM is a democratic party and never in favour of military government.  If ARD is sincere to the people it must talk about the provincial autonomy in accordance with the spirit of 1940 resolution.  We will never accept the hegemony of Punjabi establishment in the guise of so called democracy that ARD is propagating and instead of restoring democracy, martial law is imposed as has happened in the past, he declared. 

 

One Sindhi elder informed Mr. Altaf Hussain that water supply in Sindh had been discontinued for the last three months and it is not likely to start for another two months.  Even the IRSA officials are protecting the interests of Punjab -- the crops are ruined -- you should lodge a protest with the establishment.  Mr Altaf Hussain responding the issue raised said that we demand for the rightful share of water in Sindh and in the NFC award, and the supply of water should commence immediately. Actually Sindh is no longer an autonomous province but the colony of Punjabi establishment and colonial subjects do not have any rights. Until and unless we rid ourselves of Punjabi establishment’s hegemony, we shall continue to be deprived of our fundamentals rights, he declared.  While replying to another question Mr. Altaf Hussain stated that our delegates are already active in the rural areas of Sindh.  We shall reorganise MQM from Karachi to Kashmore where Sindhi speaking will join hands with their Urdu-speaking brothers. Mr. Hussain thanked the Sindhi journalists present in the gathering for their participation.

 

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