CONSCIENTIOUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS SHOULD COME FORWARD TO ASSIST THE ARRESTED MQM WORKERS AND SYMPATHISERS --- ALTAF HUSSAIN

London-11 May 2000

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has called upon the righteous and conscientious lawyers to come forward to plead the cases and assist the MQM legal Aid Committee in regards to the arrested MQM workers.

During his address from London to the Members of the MQM Legal Aid Committee and its co-ordinators, Mr Altaf Hussain stated that our struggle does not encompasses a few people but is for the entire nation as well as for the betterment and dignified sustenance of the next generation. "Therefore, the entire nation should play their fullest role in this struggle of sustenance" he stated.

Mr Altaf Hussain cited that thousands of MQM workers and sympathisers are in unlawful detention of the state while indiscriminate raids and arrests of innocent MQM workers and sympathisers are continuing unabated. "MQM is the only political party in the country which has no feudal and landed aristocrat in its rank and file. Its leadership and rank and file consists of middle class and down trodden people", he stated. "All the arrested workers and sympathisers can not, therefore, afford all the legal costs, lawyers fees and expenses particularly when dozens of false and fabricated cases have been registered against them", he emphasised.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that that the Legal Aid Committee of the MQM is responsible for the financial aid and legal assistance for the arrested workers and sympathisers but, however, their number is only a few in comparison to the huge number of the arrested persons and therefore, the Legal Aid Committee is heavily burdened with this complex work.

Finally, Mr Altaf Hussain appealed to conscientious senior and junior lawyers associated with lower courts, High Court and Supreme Court including those lawyers committed to human rights work to come forward and render their services to humanity by each accepting a few cases of these helpless and destitute families besides helping the Legal Aid Committee for which almighty God will reward them. He provided the undermentioned address where the lawyers could make contact with the view to offer their services.

Suite 421, 4th. Floor, Hoor Centre, Karachi.
Phone numbers: 777 4733 and 772 1706.