ALTAF HUSSAIN CONDEMNS LAHORE BOMB BLAST APPEALS FOR BLOOD DONATION

London, 10 January 2008….Founder and Leader of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr. Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the bomb blast at GPO Chowk, Lahore and express his profound and deep sorrow over the killing of 22 people including police personnel.

In his statement issued from London Mr. Hussain said that the barbaric elements who are killing innocent citizens for their ulterior motives are disturbing the law and order situation of the country, should not be spared.

Mr. Hussain demanded of the President Pervez Musharraf, Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammad Mian Soomro, Governor Punjab and Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab to take notice of the Lahore bomb blast and take strong and concrete action against the conspiring elements to protect the lives and property of the citizens.

Mr. Hussain expressed his heartfelt condolences to the grieved families who have lost their love ones in the bomb blast. He prayed for the early recovery of those injured.

In a separate statement Founder and Leader of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) appealed to the workers and supporters of the MQM in Lahore to donate blood for those injured in the Lahore bomb blast. He said that a large number of injured are in a critical condition and desperately need blood donation. He appealed to the workers and supporters of the MQM Lahore to visit Mayo Hospital and the Services Hospital and donate blood as much as they can.

ALTAF HUSSAIN APPEALS SECTARIAN HARMONY

London, 10 January 2008….MQM Founder and Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has appealed to the Muslims of all schools of thought, particularly Pakistanis, to remain united and maintain sectarian harmony and peace during the holy month of Moharram-ul-Haram to defeat the elements who are conspiring to clash the people against each other on the basis of belief, religion and sect.

He urged the workers, office bearers and elected representatives of the MQM to play their role in maintaining sectarian harmony and brotherhood and to form peace committees comprising of elders and youths from all schools of thought during the month of Moharram in their respective areas.

Mr. Hussain said that Islam preaches for peace, love, harmony, unity and integrity. He instructed the MQM office bearers and the Members of the MQM Ulema Committee to meet with the religious scholars and representatives of different schools of thought and appeal them to play their role for sectarian harmony and peace in their speeches during holy congregations in Moharram.