London – 8th January 2005
Today, President General Pervez Musharraf and the MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain held talks over the phone, which continued for 45 minutes. During the discussion both the leaders discussed the construction of large dams, Balochistan issue, provincial autonomy and other important matters. While speaking to President Musharraf, Mr Hussain presented his viewpoint in detail with regards to the construction of large dams in the country, present scenario in Balochistan and provincial autonomy. The President assured Mr Hussain that controversial dams will not be constructed and only those dams will be constructed which have the consensus of all the provinces. President Musharraf assured Mr Hussain that no action will be taken against the people of Balochistan, the army will not be deployed and most certainly no army action will be commissioned in Balochistan. He also assured that any injustice against even a single innocent Baloch, committed in the past or in future, will be investigated and action taken against those responsible. He also emphasised that a political solution to the Balochistan issue will be sought. The President further stated that he has always been in favour of provincial autonomy and constituted a parliamentary committee, however, he admitted that the progress is slow. Mr Hussain requested the President to issue instructions to expedite the efforts of this committee. The President while agreeing assured Mr Hussain that the Parliamentary Committee will be instructed to expedite their efforts to ensure the devolution of powers from the Federation to the Provinces. President Musharraf emphasised that the Government will pay attention towards development projects in Balochistan and has allocated two billion rupees for this purpose.
It is also pertinent to note that in the morning of 8th January 2006, the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also held discussions with Mr Altaf Hussain for 55 minutes on the above problems and issues.
London – 8th January 2006
An emergency marathon meeting of the Central Co-ordination Committee (Rabita Committee) of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) held simultaneously in London and Karachi headed by its Convenor Dr Imran Farooq to consider the details of the telephonic conversation of the President General Parvez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that collectively lasted for one hour and forty minutes with Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM). The Members took notice of the assurance provided by President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that only those dams would be constructed that has won the consensus of all the provinces, no army operation will be conducted in Balochistan and no action against the Baloch people would be taken. It was further assured that an inquiry would be commissioned for the excesses committed against any common man and exemplary punishment would be meted out to the governmental perpetrators, political solution would be sought of Balochistan crises while the devolution process would be speeded up towards provision of the total provincial autonomy to the provinces.
The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee having carefully considered the assurance unanimously decided to withdraw the ultimatum of quitting the Government. Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has ratified the decision of the Central Co-ordination Committee.