MQM will not be part of any process of military intervention in Balochistan – Altaf Hussain

Addressing the Roundtable conference, organised by MQM in Quetta

Quetta—28 January 2005

Mr. Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) said that use of force eliminates unity, therefore, force should not be used in Balochistan. However, if military intervention or force is used in Balochistan, MQM will not be a party to any such act. He said that total provincial autonomy should be granted to Balochistan and other smaller provinces to save the country. He expressed these views during his telephonic address to the roundtable conference, organised by MQM in Quetta, the provincial Capital of Balochistan.

A large number of leaders of national political parties and different nationalist parties of Balochistan attended the conference. During his address, Mr. Altaf Hussain said that the Balochistan issue has turned into a very serious and sensitive situation and the general public is extremely concerned over it. He said that if Balochistan is considered as a unit with in Pakistan then all the provincial matters should be resolved by the Provincial Government and not the Federal Government. He said that unfortunately, our ruling oligarchy, Army, Establishment, Political leaders and scholars have always tried to strengthen the Federation and as a result of this, our country was dismembered. The strong Federation could not keep the country intact and a part of the country emerged as an independent country on the globe. He said that the people of Balochistan are as much Pakistanis as are the rulers of the Federation. Those who consider themselves superior Pakistanis over others, have already lost half of the country because of this very thinking.

Mr. Altaf Hussain said that we are not living in the 60s and 70s, this is twenty first century. This is an era of information technology and therefore it is impossible to suppress the voice of the deprived people by force. In this era, any disaster, accident, oppression or atrocities can not be kept secret for a long time and finally, truth appears before the world. Mr. Altaf Hussain said that large developmental programmes should be made for the development of Balochistan and prosperity of people and not one but ten Gwadar Ports should be constructed but the Federation should not intervene to make programmes according to their own wishes but grant funds to the elected Provincial Assembly of Balochistan so that they can work on the developmental programmes according to their own wishes. He said that any plan or developmental work, which is dangerous for the future of Balochistan or for its traditional, cultural or identity or turning them into a minority, will never be praised. Therefore, the will of the People of Balochistan should be included in all the developmental projects in Balochistan. Similarly, security of all the entities of Balochistan should be considered a right of the Baloch people and their right should be respected.

Mr. Altaf Hussain also condemned the gang rape of lady Doctor Shazia and demanded that the people, who are involved in this crime, should be arrested and punished, irrespective of which institution they belong to. Mr. Altaf Hussain said that keeping view of the International situation and geo-political situation of Pakistan, unity is essential but in this situation continuing particularism is not be good for the future of Pakistan. Mr. Altaf Hussain again said to the Ruling Oligarchy of Pakistan that the grievances of the Baloch people should be removed and a roundtable conference of all Nationalist leaders of Balochistan should be called for the solution of all the problems of Balochistan and their views should be listened with sympathy and attention and their complaints should be resolved. Mr. Altaf Hussain said that force should not be used in Balochistan because use of force will not bring love but will bring hatred. He said that use of force can silence the voices of weak people but the fire of hatred would remain in the hearts. Use of force does not bring unity, it eliminates the unity. He said that if a father will not do injustice to his sons, he can not keep his sons united by force because even the blood relations are split by the use of force.

Mr. Altaf Hussain categorically declared that MQM will not support any military intervention or use of force in Balochistan and will not be part of any such act of the Government. While addressing the ruling oligarchy Mr. Hussain said that for God Sake, the practice of use of force should be abandoned and the country should be saved by granting total provincial autonomy to Balochistan and other smaller provinces. He said that the act of strengthening the Federation will weaken the country while act of strengthening the provinces will strengthen the country therefore, to strengthen the country, provinces should be strengthened. Mr. Altaf Hussain expressed total solidarity with the people of Balochistan and said that people of Balochistan should not feel that they are alone because the MQM will always be with them against the oppression while it would also raise voice along with the leaders of Balochistan, for their rights on every forum. Mr. Altaf Hussain, while addressing the participating leaders of different parties in the roundtable conference, said that you should publicise the manifesto of your parties but for the attainment of the rights and solution of the problems of Balochistan, minor differences among you should be solved and a united voice should be raised against oppression, the MQM will be with you. Mr. Altaf Hussain thanked all the leaders for participating in the roundtable conference.