The Dawn
29 June 2003

LARKANA, June 28: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Atlaf Hussain held feudal lords and the establishment responsible for the sufferings of Sindh.

He said this while addressing workers of the MQM over the phone on Thursday night at the Abdul Latif Nizamani Labour Hall, says a press release of the MQM.

He said that had the feudal lords and landlords of Sindh sincerely raised their voice for the rights of Sindh instead of being selfish, Sindh would not have been deprived of its rights today.

He said that rights could not be doled out but it requires untiring efforts and commitment to get rights, and added that one could not get it by merely stating that the federation had usurped the rights of Sindh.

 He said that it was only G. M. Syed who had really voiced for the rights of Sindh and had gone behind bars, while the others only used the name of Sindh for serving the interests of their families.

Mr Altaf said that landlords receive irrigation water by tampering with the modules at the cost of growers' land, and added that the feudal lords wasted water while the poor growers had to wait even for a single drop of water.

He claimed that the MQM was firm about its commitment to serve Sindh, whether sitting in the government or remaining outside the ambit of power.

He criticized the PPP for its double-standards as it protested against the Thal canal in Sindh but remained a silent spectator in Punjab.

Feudals responsible for miseries of Sindh people: Altaf Hussain

The News
29 June 2003

LARKANA: The establishment as well as feudal are responsible for the deprivation among Sindh masses.

Leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain said this in his address to the Muttahida workers in Larkan, who had come to listen to him at Lateef Nizamani Hall on Friday from Ratodero, Shahadadkot, Qamber Ali Khan, Nasreeabad, Dokri and Meero Khan. He said the feudal for the past 56 years have been trading the interests of common man to preserve their own positions. Altaf reminded the audience, "Rights are not offered on a platter or through prayers. You have to struggle for your fundamental rights and struggle hard." He asked, "Who is responsible for the poverty and deprivation in Sindh?"

Although the feudal from Sindh were selected for premiership more often but they did nothing for the people of Sindh, Altaf said and added: "Only Sain G M Syed raised his voice for the Sindh masses, so he was put behind the bars for that crime. All other so-called Sindhi leaders, derived personal benefits in the name of Sindh. Had they raised their voice for Sindh cause the people of Sindh would not have been deprived of their fundamental rights.

"Naturally the farmers and the poor approach the feudal and rich in Sindh for their day-to-day problems. But how could the feudal appreciate the hardships of the poor farmers, when he never faced any such problem ever in his life!

"When the water dried up in lakes and their crops die because of it, the feudal uses canal water of the poor farmers to water his farms and leaves the ordinary farmer's land to dry. The poor people of Sindh and their children may be dying of thirst but the feudal and their children drink imported water from France."

The Muttahida leader said the people of Sindh must not expect anything from the feudal lords but should get united and struggle hard for their fundamental rights.

"The fact that Sindhi speaking people are joining hands with Altaf Hussain under the banner of the Muttahida has rattled the foes of Sindh and their agents. But I am sure the people of Sindh are now wise and will never allow their conspiracies to successed," Altaf said.