SINDHI YOUTH, ELDERS, MOTHERS AND SISTERS COME FORWARD AND NOT ONLY JOIN THE MQM BUT ALSO RUN ITS AFFAIRS – ALTAF HUSSAIN
MQM DOORS ARE OPEN TO THOSE WHO LOVE SINDH DHARTI

Karachi – 30 March 2002

Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder and Leader, has stated that despite Sindh Province contribute seventy percent in the national exchequer it is yearning for water.  He demanded of the Federation to provide rights to the Sindh Province or else the people of Sindh would be compelled to adopt a line of action to achieve their rights.  He was speaking to a group of Sindhi lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, students, former councillors, and people from all walks of life including agriculture, gathered at the Khursheed Begum Hall in Azizabad, Karachi yesterday.  They came from far-flung areas of Sindh including Sukkur, Ghotki, Bhainpur and Mityari with a view to join the MQM.  Mr Altaf Hussain welcomed them.

Through the participants Mr Hussain extended his invitation to all the Sindhi youth, elders, mothers and sisters to come forward and not only join the MQM but also run its affairs.  He said that MQM is not only for the Urdu Speaking people but it is also for the Sindhi Speaking people and the oppressed people of the country.  Mr Hussain said that at the time of the creation of Pakistan in 1947, millions of Mohajirs belonging to the Muslim Minority Provinces migrated to Pakistan.  As Punjab came first in the path of migration, therefore, in principle they should have been settled in Punjab.  However, under the well-planned conspiracy of the Establishment when the trains filled with the blood of Mohajirs reached Lahore, they were forwarded to Sindh Province misguiding them that Pakistan is still ahead.  He said that it is the Sindh Province, which provided shelter to the Mohajirs and assisted them in every possible way.  The Mohajir intellectuals should have sung praises for Sindh but it did not happened.  Mr Hussain said that we do recognise the mistake of our elders and are trying to make amends.  It is a fact that Sindh provided land, food and water to the Urdu Speaking people; therefore, the Urdu Speaking people should now discharge their obligation.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Hussain said that without feeling any humiliation he declared in the past and would do so today that he seeks pardon if he or his elders has done any wrong.

Mr Hussain said that till 1970, from Karachi to Larkana, the Urdu and Sindhi Speaking people lived in harmony and brotherhood.  They participated in each other’s joy and grief.  However, as the British used every method to divide the Hindus and Muslims in the Undivided India, similarly, the Establishment of Punjab used different means to create confrontation amongst the Sindhis and Mohajirs.  Linguistic riots were organised to widen the gulf between the Sindhis and Mohajirs.  However, it is encouraging to see that the Urdu and Sindhi Speaking people have now understood such conspiracies.  We are getting united and by the Grace of Allah Almighty.  No one could now be successful in confronting us against each other.  The Urdu and Sindhi Speaking people are like two branches of a tree and two sons of the motherland.  If we continue to live in harmony and love then like other differences, the difference of Language amongst us would also be eliminated.  Mr Hussain said that every language is respectable and despite the fact the Urdu is our mother tongue, he advised the Urdu Speaking people to learn Sindhi Language, which is the language of the motherland and we will not allow it to be abolished.

Referring to the injustices against Sindh Mr Hussain said that the Sindh Province voted and struggled for the creation of Pakistan.  Therefore, the major share in the Government, Administration, Police and Army should have been given to Sindh.  Contrary to this, the Federal Capital was shifted from Sindh to Punjab.  When Sain G M Syed protested against these injustices, he was declared a “traitor”.  He said that Sindh has been turned into a colony of Punjab.  The imported police, army and administration from Punjab are ruling Sindh.  He said that the people of Sindh should seriously ponder that either Sindh is an autonomous province or subservient? Sindh is on the path of progress or retreating towards destruction and regression in danger of becoming yet another Moenjodaro?  Mr Hussain said that when we raise our voice for the rights of Sindh, which provides us shelter and food, we are branded as traitors.

Mr Hussain demanded of the Federation to end the injustices and oppression against Sindh and provide its legitimate rights.  He warned that if the process of injustices would continue then the people of Sindh would be compelled to adopt other line of action.

Mr Altaf Hussain invited the people and said that the doors of the MQM are open to those who love the Sindh Dharti and are not the agents of the Establishment or its Agencies.  He specially praised and commended the Chairman of Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz (JSQM) Mr Basheer Qureshi.  He said that Mr Qureshi is the true soldier of the Sindh Dharti; therefore, he has a very special place in my heart.

In the end Mr Hussain said that we must save Sindh together and at no cost be misguided by the conspiracies of the anti-Sindh elements.  We must resolve our difference, if any, by sitting together and holding dialogues.  By the Grace of Allah Almighty, no conspiracy can now defeat us and through our joint struggle one day we will acquire our rights.