APC FAILED TO
ADOPT A UNANIMOUS LINE OF ACTION:
IT WAS BLESSING IN DISGUISE FOR THE MQM – ALTAF HUSSAIN
12TH MAY INCIDENT WAS A WELL PLANNED AND EXECUTED CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE MQM
KILLINGS OF LAL MASJID AND JAMIA HAFSA EXTREMIST MILITANTS CANNOT BE TERMED AS EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS
MQM HAS CHALLENGED AND WANTS TO BREAK THE STATUS QUO AND BRING ABOUT PEACEFUL REFORMATION TO THE COUNTRY OR BRING ABOUT PEACEFULLY REVOLUTION WITHOUT BLOODSHED
London – 15th July 2007
MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that the APC has been a blessing in disguise for the MQM. All the parties of the APC are filled with venom against the MQM; some may have more than others. They unanimously passed resolutions against the MQM to show their venom and hatred towards the MQM in spite of having difference of opinion on almost all other issues discussed in the APC. The reason for this venom is the MQM’s philosophy of realism and practicalism, its struggle for the abolishment of the medieval feudal system and struggle against the antiquated status quo system. He said this while addressing the participants of the 12th Annual Convention of the MQM Overseas USA organised in Dallas, USA over the phone from London.
Commenting on the two day All Parties Conference (APC) that was held in London on 12th July 2007 Mr Hussain said that it was a horde of large and small political and religious parties, nationalist parties, diminutive parties and their leaders and it failed to adopt a unanimous line of action and present even a two to three point agenda to the nation giving their future planning. This APC was not able to reach to a unanimous decision and failed to present a concrete or unanimous solution to the nation. All the participants did was to eat food, enjoy their stay and tour London. No concrete line of action such as resigning from the assemblies, announcing a date to start a movement against the government or to offer arrests on a specific date. What then was the purpose of APC?
The frustration of the leaders of the APC for not agreeing even on starting a movement against the government was evident and they were unanimous against the MQM. We must see how the resolutions were presented and unanimously adopted against the MQM. The host of the APC Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto who themselves are living in London and the APC session has announced to present a referendum to the British Government to deport Altaf Hussain. There is no commonality between the exile of Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto and Altaf Hussain. Altaf Hussain was not released from jail and sent abroad; nor was he implicated in any case like Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. Altaf Hussain did not fear the government or its agencies; in fact he was advised by his companions to leave Pakistan and lead the party from abroad. The APC has been a blessing in disguise for the MQM. All the parties of the APC are filled with venom against the MQM; some may have more than others. They unanimously passed resolutions against the MQM to show their venom and hatred towards the MQM in spite of having difference of opinion on almost all other issues discussed in the APC. The reason for this venom is the MQM’s philosophy of realism and practicalism, its struggle for the abolishment of the medieval feudal system and struggle against the antiquated status quo system.
Commenting on the political culture of Pakistan, Mr Hussain said that a few families consider it as their right to rule the country generation after generation. For example in Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) first it was Shah Nawaz Bhutto then Zulfikar Ali Bhutto then Benazir Bhutto; Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif and then his brother Shehbaz Sharif and their family members; Awami National Party (ANP) it was Khan Abdul Wali Khan then his son Asfandyar Wali Khan; Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) first Mufti Muhammad then his son Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Those having pedigree only serve the rulers. In the 60 years of the country’s history the only party which broke this system of familial rule is the MQM. We have challenged the status quo and for the first time in the history of Pakistan educated middle class people have been sent to the assemblies where the feudals, waderas and jaagirdars were not happy that a member of middle class is sitting along side them. They were also afraid that if the MQM’s philosophy is allowed to spread throughout the country then it will be the end of their rule. We must therefore only trust ourselves and have complete faith in the Allah Almighty.
Speaking on the 12th May incident, Mr Hussain said that on the arrival of Chief Justice of Pakistan to Karachi, the MQM announced to take out a rally but it was criticised for being in the government and taking out a rally. Why then the MMA who are in Government in NWFP was not criticised in the same manner for taking out the rally to welcome Chief Justice in Peshawar? When the MMA takes out a rally it is acceptable and when the MQM holds a rally it is condemned, why? MQM organised the rally for the independence of judiciary and against politicising the issue of Chief Justice. The venue of the rally was at the Tibet Centre that is far away from the Sindh High Court. MQM rallies were arriving in Karachi from interior Sindh via the National and Super Highway.
Throwing light on 12th May conspiracy Mr Hussain said that up until the day before the rally, leader of all opposition political parties announced that they will break all previous records but strangely no central leader of opposition political and religious parties turned up in Karachi. Where had they disappeared to? They were informed by someone not to go to Karachi. He said that the Members of the MQM Investigative Committee have virtually finalised their investigating regarding the incident of the 12th. May 2007 that would be soon presented to the nation. Mr Hussain said that if one knew that killing and mayhem would have taken place – would they have ever taken their womenfolk or children in the rally? Everyone saw that several thousands of MQM workers and supporters were out on the street participating in the rallies including elders, women, children and even babies. What happened on the 12th May was nothing else but a well planned and executed conspiracy against the MQM. Immediately after 12th May banners appeared on Islamabad streets demanding to send Naseerullah Babar to Karachi and even today in one form or other demands are being made on the media to produce the arms used in Karachi. A well renowned television anchor told me in confidence that when he went inside the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa before the recent standoff; he himself saw huge quantity of brand new latest weapons on display which made him uneasy. And today the same anchor is weeping to present the extremists and fanatics of Lal Masjid as unarmed and innocent and concentrating on reading out emails that are against the MQM and have literally no relevance to the issue being discussed in his program.
Mr Hussain said that the fast spreading message and philosophy of the MQM in every nook and corner of the country, the developmental projects of Karachi and Hyderabad had impressed even a common man and people were joining the MQM in large numbers were not liked by those who staged, planned and executed the drama and the conspiracy of 12th May with a view to malign the image of the MQM and prevent the spread of its message and philosophy.
Referring to the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa incident in Islamabad, Mr Hussain said that the question is being raised that why Altaf Hussain has supported the extra-judicial killings of Lal Masjid? We must first understand what is extra-judicial killing? Before 19th June 1992, did the MQM kidnap Chinese women or law enforcement personnel or attacked businesses and shops? Those who visited Nine Zero – did they ever see any rocket launchers, grenades or land mines? After the operation was launched against the MQM – did MQM offer any resistance even a single incident? Whereas, on the issue of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa – who killed the 11 army personnel? Burqa-clad women appeared on one private channel and after reciting the kalema, they said that there were no arms within Lal Masjid but Rashid Ghazi has on several occasions while being interviewed on the media confessed and accepted that there are arms in Lal Masjid and also acknowledged the murder of ranger personnel on the very first day. The extremists of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa attacked local audio and video shops and burnt their stock of CDs, DVDs and videos; they threatened women of driving cars and more. Has MQM ever stopped or threatened any political or religious party of participating in the elections? No. During the notorious army operation against the MQM – unarmed and innocent MQM workers and supporters were killed. If we would have been fighting the army then this would not have been termed as extra-judicial killing. If both sides are using sophisticated lethal arms and ammunition then it is not extra-judicial killing as in the case of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa.
Mr Hussain further elaborated that the province of NWFP is now practically under the control of Taliban and you may have heard or read that according to international forces, the Pathans of Afghanistan and Pakistan may get united to create a Pakhtoon belt. We must pray to the Almighty Allah to save us from the worst times.
Mr Hussain said that the venomous propaganda was spread against the MQM to the international community during the regimes of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He instructed all those present to write to US Congressmen and Senators, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, representatives of State Department etc., and inform them of the facts and make all efforts to counter the propaganda against the MQM. He advised the participants to visit the local libraries and go to political history section and study on the rise and fall of nations, the Fall of Roman Empire, how dead nations become alive, how slave nations achieved freedom. We must see how the policy of isolation and criminalisation has been used in the history. In every era, the Establishment in connivance with the ruling elite has tried their level best to maintain the status quo. Those who challenged and struggled against the obsolete and medieval status quo were isolated, criminalised and punished, brutally treated and even eliminated from the face of earth.
Mr Hussain explained that all that is happening against the MQM is because it has challenged the status quo and the outdated medieval feudal system and want to establish true democracy in the country where every individual enjoys equal opportunity in every walk of life without any discrimination on the basis of cast, colour, sex, sect, religion, language, ethnic origin etc. MQM is liberal and believes in religious harmony and tolerance and against terrorism, fanaticism and all sorts of violence and believes in sectarian harmony. MQM wants to make Pakistan a true democratic country; really a true democratic country, where rich and poor are treated equally and have equal access to justice. MQM has challenged and wants to break the status quo and bring about peaceful reformation to the country or bring about peaceful revolution without bloodshed – i.e. through the power of ballot and not bullet. MQM believes in national integrity, harmony, love, peace, tranquillity, brotherhood, tolerance, acceptance of one another; and wants to establish such a system where every individual has respect in society not on the basis of what status he or she holds. MQM believes to provide equal rights to all religious minorities. MQM respects all the beliefs and religions; it is not against any belief, faith or religion. MQM’s philosophy is to promote peace and love; not hatred. We want to create a just and loving atmosphere where everyone loves and respects one another. MQM does not believe in violence and terrorism. We have never committed any acts of violence or terrorism. MQM does not promote violence or terrorism. MQM is against all sorts of violence or terrorism. We believe in helping those in need. MQM preaches to spare a part of your meal and give to someone who is starving. Majority of MQM members are Muslims and believe in the religion of Islam, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the Holy Quran. But we also believe on all other divine and holy books of the Allah Almighty sent to mankind through His prophets. We believe in all prophets. We are against those who preach violence, terrorism, hatred, murder and mayhem in the name of Islam. Islam means peace and security for all. Islam does not preach to kill anyone no matter which religion he or she belongs to. MQM believes and follows the Holy Quran verses, “You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion” [109.6] and “There is no compulsion in religion;” [2.256]. We are against those who are misinterpreting and wrongly preaching in the name of Islam about jihad and preaching to kill infidels or non-Muslims; as this is not allowed in Islam. As far as the women rights are concerned, the MQM believes in equal rights to women. MQM wants to provide equal rights to women and want to establish a system where women have not only equal rights but respect like the men. In short, our message is of peace, love, love and only love.
Mr Hussain further elaborated that MQM is being falsely accused and blamed because we are not from the ruling elite and in fact, we belong to oppressed class, from the poor and middleclass grass root level. We are striving to improve the condition of the 98 percent poor and middleclass, provide them education and health facilities and justice. We want to provide these facilities to each and every individual citizen of the country. Our only crime is that we are challenging the status quo (if this is considered a crime?). We are peacefully struggling to abolish the outdate medieval feudal system, If this is considered our crime then we are not ashamed of it and will continue our struggle.
Mr Hussain congratulated and praised the MQM Overseas USA Unit on their 12th Annual Convention and advised them, “to work hard as you are not working for yourself but for the future of your coming generations so they can live with pride, honour and dignity like others.” He also praised the efforts of MQM USA office bearers, workers and supporters during the mammoth relief activities of the MQM for the earthquake victims of 8th October 2005 in Azad Kashmir and NWFP.