One Can Change Enemies and Friends But Not Neighbours, India And Pakistan
Must Co-Exist On The Basis of Equality By Accepting Each Other – Altaf Hussain

London – 16 July 2010:  Mr. Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has underlined the need of talks between India and Pakistan on the basis of equality. This was stated by him while making a telephonic address from London on the occasion of the inaugural of the new building of Information Department of the MQM here at “Nine Zero” in Azizabad, Karachi on Friday. The building has been built on modern technology and techniques.

Referring to the meeting of the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan in Islamabad on Friday, he said though talks between the counter parts was not encouraging but stressed that talks should continue between the two countries. Mr. Altaf Hussain made a humble appeal to the rulers and those in power in India and Pakistan to accept the existence of both the countries in real terms and try to build cordial relations.

Mr. Altaf Hussain said that war is not the solution of both the countries and it is in the larger interest of India and Pakistan that relations should be strengthens on both ways. He asked as to why we cannot learn lessons from European countries who had fought war with each other but today they have realized that talk was the only solution instead of war.

Mr. Altaf Hussain said it is a real fact that one can change enemies and friends but cannot change neighbors. He reiterated that both the countries should accept their existence and continue talks to strengthen relations. He further demanded from the rulers of the both the countries that there should be exchange of intellectuals and scholars from both the countries as well as common citizens, this would bond further ties between the two countries.

Mr. Altaf Hussain also said that there should also be exchange of electronic and media persons from both the countries.

Mr. Altaf Hussain referred the parliamentarians who had obtained fake degrees to become a member of the house and said they took the support of speaking lie just to become a parliamentarian. He said if they say that the graduation condition was done by a dictator so they could have boycotted the election, instead they concealed the facts and filed nomination papers supported by fake degrees. While condemning this act he said this concealment of fact is condemned all over the world and morally this is a shameful act. He prayed to Almighty Allah to get this country rid off corrupt political leaders.

Referring to the resolution passed in the Punjab Assembly against the media, he demanded that it should be withdrawn. He also demanded of the Chief Minister Punjab and Speaker of the Punjab Assembly to tender apology to the media. He gave an assurance to the media persons that MQM will stand with them shoulder to shoulder in all thick and thin.

Mr. Altaf Hussain demanded of the owners of print and electronic media to implement 7^th Wage Board Award in its full letter and spirit. He also demanded of the federal and provincial governments that journalists covering the events by putting their lives at risk should be provided complete security.

Mr. Altaf Hussain requested the journalists to help the MQM information people once in a month to share their experience to enhance their knowledge.

Mr. Altaf Hussain also emphasized the use the information technology as this is an era of IT and this is being used all over the world to send news within seconds.