THEN THE MQM WILL QUIT THE GOVERNMENT
ALTAF HUSSAIN's TV INTERVIEW
London – 14 January 2005 MQM Founder &
Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that if an army operation is launched in
Balochistan then the MQM will quit the Government. He made this announcement
during an interview with the ARY Television while speaking with Dr Shahid Masood.
He said that any emotional step taken in this regard will not be beneficial for
the country and the nation. Replying to a question that the Government of
Balochistan has invited army to intervene and take action against terrorists, Mr
Hussain said that this is the internal matter of the Government of Balochistan
but the provincial government also demanded for its due share in NFC Award and
the Provincial Government of Sindh demanded to hold talks for Kalabagh Dam in
the light of Sindh Assembly Resolution but no one paid any attention.
Mr Hussain said that when the army operation was
launched against the MQM in 1992, all the nationalities kept silent but we will
not do the same. We can sacrifice the ministries and the government but will
never sacrifice our principles. We are not interested in being part of the
government responsible for bloodshed of innocent Baloch. He informed that the
MQM Coordination Committee is in session and has recommended that the MQM will
quit the Government if an army operation of any sort is launched in Balochistan.
Replying to a question that being the coalition partner has the MQM been taken
into confidence over this issue, Mr Hussain said that although we are the
coalition partner and it is the responsibility of the Government to consult the
MQM on all important issues including the issue of Balochistan but unfortunately
the MQM has not been consulted on any such issues.
Speaking on the issue Mr Hussain reminded that in 1970, the same
justification was used that we are going to East Pakistan to monitor the
transfer of power and to provide security to the National Assembly session in
Dhaka. But the world witnessed that an army operation was launched resulting in
the break-up of the country.
Mr Hussain said that smaller provinces are already
under pressure, facing hardships and feel deprived. To alleviate their
grievances, representatives of all provinces, nationalists of Balochistan, Sindh
and NWFP should have been gathered for a round-table conference to promote
national integrity and national unity but this did not happen. The demand of the
Government of Balochistan and the Federal Government’s stance that army is
being deployed for security has created anxiety amongst the common Baloch and
they are not convinced. Therefore, a round-table conference of all Baloch
nationalists must be called to resolve the issues through sincere, peaceful and
meaningful dialogue. He declared that army operation is not a solution to these
issues as we have suffered huge losses in the past. This is the 21st
Century; the big powers of the world on the one hand take pride in their actions
whereas on the other hand what they are facing is not hidden from the world. Mr
Hussain said that to acquire power is not condemnable but to consider one as God
based on this power is dreadful. Therefore, one must always adopt the path of
dialogues and negotiations. Mr Hussain said that we are all Pakistanis and army
must not be used against its own citizens – it should be solely used to
protect and defend our borders only. Referring to the Kashmir Fund that is being
collected for the past 57 years, Mr Hussain asked why Kashmir has not been won
by now.
On the proposed army operation in Balochistan and
the MQM’s decision to quit the Government, Mr Hussain said that if an army
operation will be launched then the MQM Coordination Committee will decide
whether to remain in or quit the Government, however, majority of the Members of
MQM Coordination Committee are in favour of quitting the Government. Replying to
a question if he is in contact with Baloch nationalist leaders, he said that he
is not in contact with them at this moment but has been speaking with them in
the past and with the current change of scenario it becomes his national, moral,
human and religious duty to speak with the true leadership of Baloch people. And
being a Muslim and Pakistani it is his duty to offer his support to the Baloch
brothers.
Commenting on the attacks on gas-fields, he said
that we condemn these acts but these fields can be recreated. Referring to what
happened to the daughter of the Baloch Nation; Mr Hussain said that once a
sister or a daughter of our nation loses her honour then this can never be
restored. He said that we must realise that psycho-reactionary actions takes
place everywhere. Replying to the question of foreign hands being involved in
Balochistan’s situation, he said that he is not aware of this and has no proof
of foreign involvement. Addressing the Baloch protestors, he said that we all
are saddened on the oppression and cruelty that happened to our Baloch daughter.
He requested them to remain peaceful and that he has demanded the Government to
hold talks with the Baloch nationalist leaders and resolve the issue with mutual
understanding and save the country from further uncertainty. He appealed to both
parties to adopt the path of dialogues and refrain from armed confrontation. He
said that the MQM Coordination Committee has declared emergency and if an army
operation is formally launched then they will inform the public of their
decision via electronic and print media.