SONS OF SINDH WOULD UNITE TO FREE SINDH FROM
 COLONISATION ALTAF HUSSAIN

Tando Adam – 9 May 2004

Mr. Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) stated that thanks God, the era of hatred from Sindh has ended and he further added that the sons of motherland Sindhi-speaking Sindhi and Urdu-speaking Sindhi are now united and have vowed not to fight amongst themselves but if needed, they will confront the usurpers of the rights of Sindh collectively. He stated this during his telephonic address from London to a mammoth public meeting in Tando Adam, Sindh. This public gathering was attended by all sections of people including cultural and linguistic minorities, Pushtuns, Baloch and the religious minorities; the gathering was a galaxy of men, women and children who had come to hear the address during the by-election campaign in the National Assembly Constituency 236. The MQM nominated candidate for NA 236, Dr Ayub Sheikh, Mr. Abdul Haseeb, Joint Incharge, MQM Central Co-ordination Committee and others also addressed the congregation.

Mr. Altaf Hussain declared that in the past sons of motherland Sindh had been pitched against each other, orchestrated and conspired riots were commissioned and gulf was created between the permanent citizens of Sindh. He further stated that with the blessings of God, Sindhi-speaking and Urdu-speaking have now become inseparable and have vowed not to fight each other and with their unity, they would free Sindh province from colonization. He highlighted that the feudal lords of the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League had been getting elected from rural areas of Sindh but what did they do for Sindh? What have the nationalists done to free Sindh from the colonization of the Federation in the past 56 years while MQM having reached the Provincial Assembly had two unanimous Bills passed in the house against the construction of Kalabagh Dam, Greater Thal Canal and NFC (National Finance Commission) Award and it is struggling for the rights of Sindh even today.    

Mr. Altaf Hussain stressed that Sindh contributes 70 per cent of the total revenue generated to the national exchequer and if that would have been spent on motherland Sindh then there would not have been any impoverishment, unemployment, hunger and there would have been networks of schools and hospitals. He further stressed that MQM wants the end of this archaic feudal-political system and desires to establish an egalitarian rule whereby everyone is not only considered equal citizen but also treated as one. Where only the feudal aristocracy is not respected but also the oppressed peasants are also respected and have equal rights, the children of the peasants have the right to education because education is not the inherent right of only the sons and daughters of the feudal lords, rich and privileged but in fact, it is the God given right of the mankind. He said he desires that the daughters of Sindh have the right to education, live a life of their choice in freedom, not considered as herd of sheep and not condemned to “Karo-kari” (illicit relationship if marriage has taken place against the wish of the patriarch) and murdered. He said that the tradition and culture of “Karo-kari” is a naked barbarism and the MQM would continue its struggle to end this barbaric tradition and culture. He added that enough injustices and atrocities have been inflicted on Sindh and now the oppressed people of Sindh have awakened, come out of the oblivion, the present era is not the era of slavery and the people of Sindh would not rest until they free their motherland Sindh from the shackles of slavery.       

Mr. Altaf Hussain said that a “Military Operation” was launched against the MQM. Nefarious propaganda campaign was waged but we did not get into despondency and by the grace of God the message of MQM is spreading in every nook and corner of the province, in every town and every village. He condemned highhandedness of the feudal lords in collusion with Administration who have shut the watercourses to deprive the communities of the water supply of those who have joined the MQM in the rural areas, intimidating them and the religious minorities for supporting the MQM. He warned the feudal lords and the Administration to stop their undemocratic act of harassment and intimidation. He welcomed the tribes and communities joining the MQM during this public rally. He advised the nominated candidate Dr Ayub Sheikh to solve the problems confronted by the people.