PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER, FEDERAL CABINET AND CHIEFS OF INTELLIGENCE
AGENCIES NOT TO ALLOW THE OPPOSITION PARTIES TO POLITICISE THE
SENSITIVE ISSUE OF LAL MASJID - ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 7^th July 2007

MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has advised President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shoukat Aziz, Federal Cabinet and chiefs of intelligence agencies not to allow the Opposition parties to politicise the sensitive issue of Lal Masjid in Islamabad. A few individuals are repeatedly challenging the writ of the Government on the sensitive issue of Lal Masjid whereas because of the presence of women and children within the compounds of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa the Government is demonstrating exemplary patience and restraint towards taking any action against the armed extremists present in the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa. He said that under a planned conspiracy the Opposition parties have now started supporting the armed religious extremists of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, who have made women and children hostage, and are planning to take out processions against the Government actions on this sensitive issue with a view to score political gains.  The Opposition parties while supporting the religious extremists are on the one hand politicising the issue and on the other hand are least concerned for the over one billion affected people who are starving, facing hardships and left destitute as a result of the natural calamity and floods in the country. He said that the Opposition parties are sabotaging the positive efforts of the Government on the Lal Masjid issue and further aggravating the concerns and stress of the flood affected families. He said that the Government should take steps to counter the heinous plans of the Opposition parties and not to allow the Opposition parties to politicise this sensitive issue.

LEADERS CLAIMING TO SERVE THE PEOPLE ABANDONED THEM TO FACE THE CALAMITY
AND LEFT FOR LONDON – MQM COORDINATION COMMITTEE

Karachi – 7^th July 2007

The MQM Coordination Committee in its statement has stated that at a time when the entire country is faced with natural calamities, disasters, floods and devastating rainstorms causing severe damages, millions of people have been left destitute and homeless, millions are starving to death, thousands have lost their lives in this tragedy, shortage of food stuff and severe damages to communication system including roads and bridges; on the other hand armed clashes are continuing in Islamabad from 3^rd July between Lal Masjid & Jamia Hafsa Administration and the security forces resulting in death and destruction as well as maligning the image of Islam and Pakistan – it is unfortunate and sad that the political and religious leaders who never tire claiming to serve the people have left the people of Pakistan stranded to face the natural tragedy and the Islamabad operation and left for London to participate in the All Parties Conference (APC). The people of Pakistan needed these political and religious leaders in the country amongst them in this time of need. The Coordination Committee said that this act of the political and religious parties have left every Pakistan saddened, disappointed and hurt. The Coordination Committee said that the people of Pakistan now clearly denounce these so-called political and religious leaders and not trust them in future who have no regard to public interest and hold dear their interest to rule and further their political gains. The Coordination Committee questioned that the APC was postponed several times before as well – and especially when the country is faced with such natural tragedies, why the APC could not have been postponed again in the larger interest of the country and to serve and support the affected?