WHY THE RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE NOT RAISED THEIR VOICE AGAINST THE OPPRESSION AND INJUSTICE ON SINDH PROVINCE? ALTAF HUSSAIN

London - 7 May 2004
MQM Founder Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that we condemn oppression committed anywhere in the world. Why the religious and political parties who raise their voices over the Israeli oppression upon Palestinians do not protest over oppression committed upon Sindh? He was addressing a public gathering for the by-elections in NA-236 in Shahdadpur. He said that the religious and political parties must first protest over the oppression and injustices committed within because the people of Palestine are victims of Israeli oppression whereas the people of Sindh are facing oppression and injustices at the hands of their own countrymen for the past 56 years. Why these religious and political parties have not raised their voice against the oppression and injustice on Sindh Province? Did Sindh support Pakistan Resolution to become the colony of the federation after the creation of Pakistan? The land of Sindh is longing for water, its youth deprived of employment, its daughters facing the fear of karokari (honour killing), its children deprived of education and its land “distributed” as rewards amongst retired bureaucrats and army generals. Sindh contributes 70 percent in the national exchequer but remains deprived of its rights. Federation appoints its representatives on high positions in Sindh. People from out of the province are posted in police and administration and the locals being deliberately marginalised. People of Sindh do not have the right to run the affairs of their province.

Mr Hussain said that the religious and political parties organise demonstrations and processions for everyone in the world, raise their voice against the operation in tribal areas but they have never protested against the oppression and injustices against Sindh. He said that despite being in the coalition government, the MQM passed unanimous resolutions in Sindh Assembly on Kalabagh Dam, Greater Thal Canal, NFC Award and other issues relating to Sindh Province. However, the Federation thus disrespecting the decision of the elected assembly has bulldozed these resolutions. He said that slogans and emotional statements are not enough to attain the rights of Sindh. For this purpose, every member of the public in every nook and corner of Sindh must be awakened and united, the world must be informed of the injustices and oppression against Sindh because world has become a global village. In the past, through a conspiracy of divide and rule, Urdu and Sindhi speaking were made to fight each other. But now the Urdu and Sindhi speaking are united and decided that they will not fight each other but against those oppressing Sindh and depriving the province of its rights. The people of Sindh know that parties of feudals and waderas are not sincere with Sindh Province and in fact are the agents of Federation. Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) is the representative political party of the middle class and poor, which will attain the rights of Sindh Province. Mr Hussain appealed to the mothers, sisters, elders and the youth to spread the message of the MQM in Sindh. He also appealed to the public to vote for “kite”, the election symbol of MQM Candidate Dr Ayub Sheikh in the by-elections of 12 May 2004 for NA-236. He directed Dr Ayub Sheikh that after being elected he should serve his constituents without any prejudice.