DISCUSSION BETWEEN ALTAF HUSSAIN AND QAZI HUSSAIN AHMED

MQM WILL SUPPORT STEPS TAKEN FOR COUNTRY’S SAFETY AND INTEGRITY

MQM’S SUPPORT FOR MMA DEMONSTRATION IS A GOOD OMEN

London – 15^th January 2006

In the early hours of Sunday, the MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain called President MMA Qazi Hussain Ahmed over the phone from London and assured him of MQM’s support and participation over his protest demonstration call against the American bombardment on Bajaur Agency and the military operation in Balochistan. Qazi Hussain Ahmed informed Mr Hussain in detail of the loss of lives and property as a result of US air strikes. Mr Hussain while expressing his sorrow and grief over the loss of innocent lives in Bajaur Agency said that targeting innocent civilians in Balochistan, Waziristan or Bajaur Agency is naked oppression and we will never support such oppressive measures. Expressing his shock Mr Hussain said that foreign aircrafts entered Pakistani territory, bombarded Pakistani area and returned; and the institutions responsible of defending the borders of the country were unaware of this air strike.  Mr Hussain said that keeping aside the political and ideological differences; this is an issue of country’s security and integrity. He assured that the MQM stands shoulder to shoulder with MMA in its courageous stand over the American bombardment at Bajaur Agency and the military action in Balochistan and will fully participate in the protest. He also assured that MQM will continue to support all such steps, which are taken for the country’s safety and security and against targeting innocent civilians. Terming the MQM’s participation a good omen Qazi Hussain Ahmed welcomed the MQM’s decision to support the MMA protest and thanked Mr Altaf Hussain. Both the leaders also strongly condemned the military action in Balochistan and the targeting of innocent Baloch and agreed that military action and use of State force is not the solution of Balochistan issue, therefore, all issues must be resolved through dialogue and negotiations. Earlier Mr Altaf Hussain called MMA Leader and Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Munawwar Hasan and discussed the situation arising after the American bombardment in Bajaur Agency and the military action in Balochistan.