Altaf Hussain called to Ibrab-ul-Hasan 17 May 2007

THE TRAGEDY OF 12^TH MAY WAS PART OF A BIG CONSPIRACY TO CONFRONT THE LIBERAL, SECULAR AND DEMOCRATIC FORCES AGAINST EACH OTHER – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 17^th May 2007

The MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that we have no dispute or confrontation with the lawyers’ fraternity and we fully support the constitutional and legal struggle of the lawyers. He said this while speaking with the Sindh High Court Bar Association President Ibrarul Hassan Advocate over the phone from London today. Mr Hussain said that the MQM believes in independence of judiciary, its autonomy and supremacy and from the very first day it has been supporting the legitimate struggle of the lawyers’ and has been stating that the lawyers’ may carry on with their Movement for the independence of judiciary and we are not against it. However, our point of view was not to allow the political parties to be successful in using the lawyers’ movement and making the case of the Chief Justice Supreme Court disputable. Mr Hussain said that he personally respects the judges and me and my party in any circumstance will never disrespect the judges or the lawyers nor will we support any such act. Speaking on the sad incident of 12^th May on the arrival of the Chief Justice Supreme Court Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry he said that he personally and on behalf of the MQM passionately appealed to the Sindh Government and the Administration of Sindh not to obstruct the arrival and address of the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to the Sindh High Court Bar and other Bars. Mr Hussain said that tragedy of 12^th May is part of a big conspiracy to confront the liberal, secular and democratic forces against each other, which is not in the interest of the country and the society. Mr Hussain asked to Mr Ibrarul Hassan Advocate to deliver his message to the lawyer’s fraternity that MQM has no conflict with the lawyers and we support their constitutional and legal struggle. Mr Ibrarul Hassan Advocate thanked Mr Altaf Hussain for lending his support to the movement of lawyer’s fraternity and assured Mr Hussain that the lawyer’s fraternity too has no conflict with any political party and the movement of the lawyer’s fraternity is for the independence of judiciary and its autonomy. He also agreed with Mr Hussain that the confrontation between the lawyers, civil society and the political parties is not in the interest of the country.

MQM analysing and investigating the incident of 12^th May very carefully and
very soon the nation will be briefed MQM Co-ordination Committee

Karachi, 17 May 2007

The MQM Co-ordination Committee in their joint session in Karachi and London exchanged views on the deplorable events of 12 May 2007. In their joint statement they pointed out that the enemies of MQM and hidden hands have conspired against the party because they are threatened by the popularity of the MQM amongst the poor and middle class people of Pakistan. The 12^th May incident is the part and parcel of their conspiracy and they have started targeting MQM workers in all the four provinces of the country. The Co-ordination Committee stated that the MQM will face all the heinous conspiracies and adverse propaganda with dexterity. The Committee appealed to all its workers and Office bearers that they should prepare themselves psychologically and physically to face hard times. They further stated that if the MQM cannot protect the citizens while it is in government, then there is little point in staying in the government. The MQM workers have no particular desire for the ministerial pomp. We are analysing and investigating the incident of 12^th May very carefully and very soon the nation will be briefed. The Co-ordination Committee pointed out that the MQM has confronted more adversities than any other political party in the country, because we do not compromise on principles. They also assured that MQM has all the respect for law and the legal community and we stand with them in their constitutional legal struggle. The MQM believes in the freedom and sanctity of judiciary. Finally, the Co-ordination Committee appealed to all the workers and supporters to stand united and be prepared to face adverse circumstances.