Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz meeting with MQM leader Mr. Altaf Hussain

The challenges faced by Pakistan discussed.

London -- 06, March 2006...Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met the MQM leader Mr. Altaf Hussain today at his residence in London. The meeting lasted over two hours and both leaders exchanged views on the present situation of the country, President George Bush’s recent visit to Pakistan and the challenges faced by Pakistan. Along with Mrs. Faiza Altaf, the convenor Dr. Imran Farooq, deputy convenor Tariq Jawaid and other members of the MQM co-ordination committee. Saleem Shahzad, M. Anwar, Tariq Meer, M. Ashfaq and Mustafa Azizabadi, received the Prime Minister. One to one meeting between Prime Minister and Mr. Altaf Hussain lasted for one hour.

While talking to the media the Prime Minister said that his first meeting with Mr. Altaf Hussain has been very positive. The MQM is an important segment of the coalition government and it is our intention to make Pakistan strong, raise the standard of living of the masses, eradicate poverty, illiteracy and provide women equal rights. He further stated that they discussed the crucial issue of Balochistan and emphasised that the government is trying hard to raise the living standard of ordinary Baloch. But miscreants are trying to disrupt developmental programmes. He said that if the country is stable even the foreigners will be ready to invest. On the other hand no one wants to invest in an unstable environment. About the law and order situation in Karachi and the recent suicidal attack on the US consulate, he said that Karachi has been peaceful during Mohram, Karachi was peaceful. These are however some elements who are bent upon disturbing the peace. The Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz concluded by saying that pay attention to one another complaints is in the interest of the country’s property.

 Pakistan is faced with grave challenge, we should sensibly remove
differences and strive toward pluralism - Altaf Hussain

London --- 06, March 2006....Founder and Leader Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) stated that Pakistan is confronting many challenges, strategically it is on a cross road that demands us to act wisely and to struggle for national solidarity and stability. The military is not the only element that safeguards people and institutions have a major role in it. He was talking to the media men at his residence after meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. He welcomed the Prime Minister and congratulate on his birthday. Mr. Altaf Hussain said that difference of opinion is a healthy sign in the democracy; all opinions should be considered seriously. About President George Bush’s recent visit to Pakistan, he pointed out that the manner in which Pakistan sided with the US in the past many thought that Pakistan’s strategic position is such that US stance towards it will never change. I always disagreed with this point of view, because nations formulate policies in accordance with their own interests. It is now the duty of our intellectuals, scholars and journalists to find a way out of the country’s predicament so that the international community take us seriously. What has been come out after President Bush’s visit is not the making of President Pevez Musharraf or Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz or some other individual but the out come of years and years of short term ill-conceived policies of expediency by the policy makers. It is now imperative to work for national unity and stability. He asked the opposition parties to play their role in opposing the government but must cooperate with the government on matters of national security. If the opposition parties can favour LFO with the government why can’t they side with the government in the larger interest of the country? Mr. Altaf Hussain stated that the country is crying out for national pluralism and that is not possible until all the inhabitants of Pakistan are treated equally and the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan, NWFP and Sindh are given full autonomy to run their affairs. Since independence Pakistan is ruled by a few families who always placed their interests before the national interests. It is high time that the lower and middle class people of Pakistan are given a chance to run their affairs. About the Balochistan situation Mr. Altaf Hussain said that because of our stand the military operation in that province was postponed for one year. Although we are in government but we protested and if the operation starts in Balochistan we will protest again. We also announced a fact finding mission for Balochistan but the day before we were going to depart, the representatives of the tribal lords told us not to carry on, because we are part of the government. Those who opposed our fact finding mission also boycotted our national conference on provincial autonomy. But regrettably they participated in the ARD and MMA conference although MMA is in government in Balochistan and NWFP. He pointed out that had we been allowed to send our fact finding team to Balochistan the situation would have been a great deal better today. He further stated that MQM follows principles. Regardless of the fact that we are in the government our declared policies do not change. In our view whether in Balochistan or in Waziristan the use of force is not the answer. All the differences should be resolved through dialogue across the table. It is always been my plea to president Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that they should seek a peaceful way for the resolution of Balochistan situation. We are raising our voice for the deprived people of Balochistan not for any Sardar and we will continue to do so, he declared, this matter should also be discussed in the cabinet. Replying to a question about forthcoming general elections Mr. Altaf Hussain said that we would jointly formulate a policy with the coalition partner.