English News 23 June 2006

NO ONE CAN STOP THE REVOLUTION OF POOR AND MIDDLECLASS IN THE COUNTRY – ALTAF HUSSAIN

PROVINCES MUST BE TREATED EQUALLY TO
STRENGTHEN THE COUNTRY

London – 23^rd June 2006 ,,,Pakistan is undergoing a crucial phase and it is the need of time to treat all the provinces equally and resolve their grievances to strengthen the country. This was stated by MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain on the occasion of the inauguration of the MQM Punjab House Office in Lahore. Large number of MQM office bearers and worker from Punjab, retired army officials, Supreme Court and High Court lawyers, businessmen and social dignitaries attended the occasion.

Mr Hussain said that the 59-years history of Pakistan is so sad and horrific that in the early years more than 12 prime ministers were changed. For years, we were not able to provide the country with a constitution – and the constitution that was formulated was regularly altered. In the 1970 General Elections, the Awami League gained clear majority in East Pakistan, whereas, in West Pakistan none of the political party was able to gain such a clear majority. The democratic principle demanded that power should have transferred to Awami League but the then rulers refused to do so and use the brute State force and murdered millions of Bengali Muslims and even accepted the disintegration of the country. During the reign of military dictators and civilian rulers the country weakened with every passing day. The then rulers and so-called intellectuals claimed that because of the regular floods in Bengal, the Bengali people were a burden on the country’s economy; therefore, it is a good omen that they have separated from us and now they will self extinguish. At that time the currency of Bangladesh was very weak as compared to that of Pakistan just as the Pakistani currency was not strong as compared to India on independence. However, today the currencies of Bangladesh and India are much stronger than that of Pakistan. Today India has been acknowledged as the 6^th super power of the world and its status is far greater than that of Pakistan. The reason behind this fact is that soon after independence India abolished the feudal system, however, unfortunately, the medieval feudal system is still in vogue in Pakistan.

Mr Hussain asked, “If the military dictators were at fault then why the civilian rulers did not play their role for the prosperity and development of Pakistan?” Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif claim that they were not allowed to function and were removed from power through conspiracies. They must now inform the people that when they were not allowed to work in the first instance then why they acquired power again and kept the nation in dark? He informed that he never looted the national wealth nor was he accused of acquiring plot, permit, factories and sugar mills – neither did he left the country through a “deal”. In fact, when attempts were made on his life only then the MQM Central Committee requested him that it is now time that he must leave the country and guide the party from exile. Those who used to say that he should return and face the courts – why are they now living in exile? The MQM’s election symbol is “kite” – but why those with elections symbols of “sword” and “lion” are not in the country today? One of the Peoples Party leader claimed that all hell will be let loose if the 1973 Constitution is changed. On the one hand the Peoples Party talks about ending the army interference, whereas, on the other hand the 1973 Constitution contains the name of military dictator General Zia Ul Haque. Why the Peoples Party despite coming into power twice was not able to remove his name from the constitution?

Commenting on the charter of democracy between Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N) Mr Hussain said this charter talks about one personality and removing his uniform but it does not provide any line of action to end the interference of the GHQ and army in the country’s politics forever. Today, Pakistan is undergoing a very crucial phase of its history. The situation in Balochistan and South and North Waziristan, Bajore and Bannu in NWFP is very critical. All the provinces are demanding for provincial autonomy but the charter of democracy has failed to provide guarantees in this regard. The root cause of all the problems is the medieval feudal system and the country’s system could not be rectified until and unless this medieval feudal system is totally abolished; however, the charter of democracy contains no clause even to address this issue and provides assurance that both these parties will abolish the feudal system. Both these parties have ignored the sacrifices of their poor workers in every general elections held and have always awarded party tickets to feudals and waderas. MQM is the only political party of Pakistan which does not auction its party tickets and awards these tickets to its dedicated, poor, honest and hardworking party members because the purpose of its struggle is to establish the rule of poor and middleclass in Pakistan. The charter of democracy is an agreement between two parties to come into power with a view to loot and plunder the national wealth and resources. The people of Pakistan are well aware that this power hungry struggle is not to strengthen the country. Mr Hussain emphasised that it is the need of time to treat all the provinces equally, resolve the grievances of discontent provinces so as to strengthen the country.

Mr Hussain said that he does not want the rule for himself but he is struggling to establish the rule of poor and middleclass in Pakistan. If the MQM emerges as the successful party of the country then he will neither become the President nor the Prime Minister. As a result of his struggle for the abolishment of the medieval feudal system, he was branded as anti-Pakistan and the enemy of Punjabis, Sindhis, Baloch, Pakhtoons and Kashmiris with a view that people of Pakistan will not listen to his message. A structure based on lies and deceit does not last long and now all such structures are falling one by one – and the rays of light which emerged from Karachi have crossed the border of Sindh Province and then the Province of NWFP and reaching out to the Province of Punjab. He assured that if the people of Punjab will hold his hand then God willing no one or no force will be powerful enough to stop the revolution of poor and middleclass in the country. The upcoming generation has decided that it will only support the party which will struggle for the abolishment of the medieval feudal system and the rule of 98 percent poor and middleclass people.

Mr Hussain expressed his heartiest congratulations on the inauguration ceremony of the MQM Punjab House Office in Lahore and stressed upon the MQM workers to continue their righteous struggle, not to be despondent because of the opposition’s propaganda, not to get agitated, observe restraint and peace – as Insha Allah victory is the ultimate fate of righteous struggles. On this occasion hundreds of attendees announced to join the Muttahida Quami Movement including workers of different political parties, lawyers and retired army officials.