London – 27 March 2000
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder and Leader, in a statement
at the present geo-political and strategic situation of South Asia has stated that
the Pakistani Establishment may well continue to blame him as a traitor or
enemy of Pakistan but ground realities are to be addressed. The events of past 15 days including the US
President Clinton’s visit in South Asia Region has made the people, particularly
the educated ones, aware of what is happening and what is going to happen in
the future regarding the geo-strategic position of Pakistan. He said the MQM
has a long-standing program for the development of the country, which is
contained in its Manifesto. Had the
Authorities implemented or allowed the MQM to implement that program this
situation would not have arisen and they would not have been embarrassed about
what is now happening. He said if the
hierarchy of the Establishment is interested in preventing Pakistan from
further deterioration they should reconsider their past policies and
reconciliate by bringing a change in their heart and removing all the venom
against the MQM and Mohajirs. While
pointing out the root cause of the problems faced by the country, Mr Altaf
Hussain stated that the deteriorating economic and political condition and
fragile status of the very existence of the country is only because of the
feudal rule in collusion with a few corrupt military generals for the past fifty-two
years. The key to Pakistan’s success is
in the abolition of feudal system and the reformation of the present
policies. Mr Hussain said that in his
opinion country’s future prosperity lies in the middle-class rule not the
feudal rule. He emphasised that all
Pakistanis should be provided freedom of speech, freedom of belief, democracy
and equal rights irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, colour, creed,
caste, language or gender. He said all
Pakistanis including Mohajirs be provided equal share in the resources and
running of the affairs of the State and the people of all nationalities be
given the autonomy to run their affairs. Also equal rights to women and
religious minorities should be provided.
These are the key points, which have to be exercised for the progress
and prosperity of the country as to who does it is immaterial, he
declared.
Mr Hussain asked General Musharraf to grasp this historic
and delicate moment, where the world seems to have turned against the country,
to bring all the forces, energy and true wisdom to face the crisis. He said, “While eliminating the bad actors
who have looted the country, the government should extend their arms and seek
help from those who sincerely wish to be an active partner in saving the country
from further deterioration.” He
appealed to all the patriotic and honest generals, military officers, lawyers,
journalists, bureaucrats, intellectuals and the people of the country to come
forward to save the nation.