Muzaffarbad – 8th July 2006
The revolution of 98 percent poor and middleclass is imminent in Azad Kashmir and the Kashmiri people will neither be deceived by false slogans nor will they retry those tested before. The day is not far when Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) will emerge as the largest and strongest party representing Azad Kashmir. MQM Founder & Leader Mr. Altaf Hussain stated this while addressing a large election public meeting held in Muzaffarbad, Azad Kashmir. Despite scorching heat thousands of Kashmiris from all over Azad Kashmir including youth, elders, women and children attended this gathering. Members of MQM Coordination Committee, office bearers of MQM Azad Kashmir and Haq Parast nominated candidates also addressed the gathering. He said that the people of Azad Kashmir have been participating in the general elections for the past 59 years in the hope that the elected representatives will address their grievances and resolve their issues, however, they have been left disappointed. He asked those present that despite repeatedly electing different parties have their grievances been addressed? Have educational institutions, colleges, hospitals, industrial homes for women, technical education centers for the youth been established in Azad Kashmir? They replied, “No”. Mr Hussain said, “Will the people of Kashmir not learn any lesson from the past despite the fact that the world has entered into the 21st Century”. How long will the people of Kashmir continue to be deceived by the false assurances of the jagirdars, waderas, Sardars? Will the people of Kashmir not rise and take their matters into their own hands? He quoted the Holy Quran, 13.11: "… surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition…”. He then asked, “Will the Kashmiri people not take any lesson from this verse of the Holy Quran and come forward to change their condition?”
Mr. Hussain asked that after the devastating earthquake of 8th October, which claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Kashmiri mothers, sisters, elders, youth and children, which party was the first to respond and arrive in Azad Kashmir with its relief teams? The participants replied in one voice, “the MQM”. It was the MQM workers, central leaders and elected representatives who carried the relief goods on their backs and reached even the remote areas of Azad Kashmir where transport could not reach. MQM organized relief camps in all the cities and collected relief goods from America, Britain, Canada, South Africa, Belgium and Gulf States and dispatched to Pakistan. In total the MQM and its welfare organisation, the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation, provided relief worth Rs 3.5 billion. He asked, how many of those who have been acquiring Kashmiri vote for the past 56 years and collecting funds in the name of Kashmir came to their rescue? Today, once again these faces have appeared at the time of elections to ask for your votes. These so-called leaders have 20 pajeros and large vehicles, whereas, the MQM workers travel in Suzuki vans and on foot. He asked the participant if for some personal gains the people of Kashmir will again elect those who did not came to help them in their time of need? The participants replied, “No”. He said that the Kashmiri people have been deceived far too long but no more as they have now awakened and will refuse to believe the false slogans and deceits. He appealed to the people of Kashmir that even if they don’t want to vote the MQM, they must get rid of the feudals, jagirdars, waderas and sardars and take the leadership in their own hands. It was propagated that MQM and Altaf Hussain is the enemy of Kashmir, however, at the time of need it was witnessed that Altaf Hussain and his companions were in the forefront and amongst our Kashmiri brethren. He said that venomous propaganda spread against the MQM is fading now and by the Grace of Allah Almighty the poor and middleclass people of Azad Kashmir, Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan, specially the youth, are awakening and the revolution of 98 poor and middleclass is the destiny of the country. He asked the participants if they would support the MQM in bringing about the revolution of poor and middleclass? They replied, “Yes”. On this occasion Mr Altaf Hussain also introduced the MQM nominated candidates. In the end he prayed for those who lost their lives in the earthquake.
Meanwhile, during his address Mr Altaf Hussain demanded of the President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shoukat Aziz to ensure that compensation is paid to those who have yet not received it and to announce the local bodies elections in Azad Kashmir. He said people of some areas have still not been paid compensation, therefore, it must be ensured that compensation reaches the affectees as soon as possible. He also demanded that the amount of compensation is not enough to rebuild the homes, therefore, it must be increased. He also demanded that since 1992 local bodies elections have not been held in Azad Kashmir causing difficulties and problems to the Kashmiri people, therefore, to announce the holding of local bodies elections. As a result of earthquake devastation several Kashmiri traders have lost everything, therefore, these affected traders must be provided with loans essential for them to restart their business activities and take care of their families. He also demanded to take notice of the severe warm weather and to provide shelter as soon as possible to the affected who are living in tents at present. He also demanded to provide alternate land to the affected and destitute and to relocate the Muzaffarabad University back to Muzaffarabad.
END