BLUNDERS OF PAST GOVERNANCE IS THE CAUSE OF
PAKISTAN’S PLIGHT TODAY – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 7^th March 2006

The MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain in his conversation with the newly elected MQM Senators Mr Ahmed Ali, Dr Abdul Khaliq Pirzada and Syed Tahir Mashidi pointed out that Pakistan’s plight today is due to misguided policies of successive governments. He said that there is no secret about the present national situation after President Bush’s visit to South Asia region. Pakistan is passing through the most precarious phase of its entire history and he has apprised Prime Minister Shoukat Aziz about it during their meeting yesterday in London. Mr Altaf Hussain reiterated that national policies should always be formulated in the national interest rather than for “others”! What will be our position if “others” lost interest in us? In response I was told that Pakistan’s geopolitical strategic position is such that the world will need us regardless. Such views defy the basic reality that relationship among nations are not ordained by God but based on mutual interests and policies change with time accordingly. Our policies in the past were guided by myopic considerations so the nation is faced with problems today. Had our previous policies been in the national interest we would have been successful in concluding a nuclear technology agreement today with US. He said that he has been expressing these views for a long time and even suggested the solutions as well. Regrettably, the MQM does not have the authority to implement my views. I repeat the same views again, that the national policies should aim to bring about harmony and pluralism in the country. If we do not wake up and fail to bring about national solidarity then there will be nothing left for us except prayers. He reiterated his message that it is not only the armed forces who defend the country, the people and institutions also play a key role in its defence – without mass support defence institutions are quite ineffective. Talking about the religious extremists, Mr Altaf Hussain said that he is not a religious scholar but only a grandson of the Mufti Agra. It is quite wrong to commit atrocities in the name of Islam. Islam never allowed terrorism but the so called religious torch bearers have deformed the image of Islam in their personal interests. It is vital to publicise the true teachings of Islam.

Mr Altaf Hussain asked the newly elected senators and the members of national assembly present in the meeting to remain steadfast, raise your voice according to party policy and wherever possible, in truth, without fear or favour. He asked them to perform their duties honestly in the interest of the people and not for any personal gains – you have been sent there to serve the people not yourself. In response all the elected members assured Mr Altaf Hussain that they would abide by his wishes wholeheartedly.