Altaf Hussain’s observation on Supreme Court of Pakistan’s historical judgment of NRO

London: 20 Jan. 2010
 

Founder and Leader of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr. Altaf Hussain said that the historical and courageous judgement that the Supreme Court has delivered on matters relating to NRO is commendable. He conveyed his praise to the entire nation and particularly the full bench of the Supreme Court. He appealed to all those officials and leaders who have been affected by this judgement should really respect this judgement despite their shock and disappointments; they should also prepare themselves to produce evidences in the court of law to defend their positions.

Mr. Hussain stated that accountability across the board of a person or the institution who have squandered the national wealth is in the wider interest of the country. He observed that his comments may not go down well in certain quarters but he had always expressed his views honestly and for that he had paid a heavy price. That is why he was passing his days in exile but for the sake of the people and country he shall continue to bear it. He pointed out that the country has not been plundered by just a few individuals, rather hundreds of persons have looted the national exchequer and had their loans written off. The justice must be seen to be done but if the actions are confined to a few individuals of smaller provinces, that would create a negative impression and breed hatred, antagonism and sense of deprivation.

He said that who so ever is responsible for illicit personal gains and had billions of rupee loans written off in his / her favour must be held accountable. In relatively short time those who owned hundreds of thousands became millionaires and those who had a million became billionaires.  They must produce evidence in a court of law as to how did it happen!

The Supreme Court should also investigate all such cases and bring the culprits to book. This would display the transparency in the application of law which would diffuse the growing provincial particularism and would instil national pluralism and enhance the national image world wide. It is vital to take the culprits to task so that the conditions of poor and middle classes of Pakistan can improve. This would generate self-confidence in their classes which would enable them to spawn leadership from their ranks. This is the only way that the clutches of feudals, Sardars, tribal cheifs and corrupt capitalists can be wrest from and Pakistan can emerge as confident, brave, proud and independent nation amongst the comity of nations.

Finally, Mr. Altaf Hussain said that whether anyone pays due attention to my suggestions or not, I believe that it would be a part of history for posterity.