IF NAWAZ SHARIF CAN CLARIFY HIS POSITION WITH REGARDS TO CHARTER OF DEMOCRACY (COD) CLAUSE 3(A) AND 3(B) ON PCO JUDGES THEN THE MQM WILL ALSO SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COD – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 28^th January 2009...MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has offered the Mr Nawaz Sharif, the leader of PML-N, that if he is able to explain and inform the nation of what the Charter of Democracy (COD) clause 3(a) & 3(b) states about the PCO Judges then the MQM will also fully support the implementation of COD. And if Mr Nawaz Sharif fails to respond then it becomes his moral obligation to review his decision on participating in the Long March.  Mr Hussain was expressing his views while addressing an important session of the MQM Coordination Committee in London. The session also discussed the current political situation of the country and was attended by Members of MQM Coordination Committee Saleem Shehzad, Muhammad Anwar, Syed Tariq Mir, Muhammad Ashfaq, Javed Kazmi, Asif Siddiqui, Mustafa Azizabadi and Qasim Ali Raza. Also present were Member Karachi City Council Ehsan Siddiqui and Naib Nazim North Nazimabad Town Ehsan Ullah.

Mr Hussain said that the lawyer’s movement is for the independence of judiciary and restoration of judges and the PML-N has announced to support the Long March of 9^th March. Simultaneously, the leader of PML-N Mr Nawaz Sharif has demanded in his press conference for the complete implementation of the COD. He said that with due respect and as a student of politics he wants to ask Mr Nawaz Sharif to clarify to the nation his views on the Charter of Democracy clause 3(a) and 3(b) with reference to PCO judges, as this document was signed in person by PPP leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and PML-N leader Mr Nawaz Sharif in London. If Mr Sharif is able to clarify his views then the MQM will also support him on his demand of implementation of COD, otherwise if he fails then it becomes his moral obligation to review his decision of participating in the long march. Mr Hussain said that if in the light of COD it was essential to demand for the restoration of judges then it would have been prudent to demand for the restoration of those judges who refused to take oath under the PCO and offered their resignations. The MQM and all other political parties then would have not only supported this demand but also proactively participated in this struggle.

Mr Hussain explained that the country is faced with internal as well as external threats, the economy is in dire states, country is faced with internal threats of terrorism, the writ of the Government is being challenged in FATA and certain areas of NWFP and a Shariat Courts have been established parallel to the constitutional and legal courts, hundreds of girls schools have been set alight, ban has been imposed on womenfolk on their education and work; and opponents are being brutally killed and their heads hanged on the streets. On the other hand, the country is faced with external threats of aggression. It is the need of time to build up on unity, harmony and peace; however, certain elements for the ulterior motives are busy in adopting the path of confrontation and planning for a long march against the Government. This act will only create anarchy and will benefit the enemies of our country who want to see anarchy and disturbance in our country. He appealed to the Opposition leaders that they should peacefully protest and present their point of view but refrain from adopting the path that may create law and order situation. We have no objection if instead of registering the protest on streets the same is taken up in the Parliament.

Commenting on the MQM joining the Federal Government Mr Altaf Hussain said that for the sustenance and progress of the country we decided to join the federal cabinet so as to strengthen the democracy and to form a united front against the undemocratic elements who want to derail the democratic system of the country. If God forbid there is any derailment of democracy then it will not only damage the government but also the democratic system.  He said that we have not even made the number of federal ministries offered to the MQM as an ego issue. We were not rigid to say that if we are not offered ministries as per the ratio of our seats in the Parliament then we will not accept the ministries. We gave priority to the country’s interest over the party’s interest and for the sustenance of the country, to strengthen the democracy, institutions and national security; we accepted the offer. We do not want to enter into confrontational politics nor do we want to weaken the democratic system of the country or to create any hindrance for the armed forces and intelligence agencies who are busy in defending country’s borders. He praised the bravery and efforts of the armed forces and intelligence agencies who are not only facing the terrorism within the country but are also offering the sacrifices of their lives in the line of duty. He reiterated that the MQM offers its fullest support to the armed forces units at the borders and to the country’s intelligence agencies so that they are able to combat the menace of terrorism. He also offered the services of the MQM will stand shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces to face any threat by our enemies against external aggression.