The worldwide food shortages and rising prices has taken the
momentum of a “silent tsunami”-Altaf Hussain

London26^th May 2008 

Mr. Altaf Hussain, Founder & leader of MQM in a statement addressing all the political and religious parties of Pakistan along with the lawyer’s organisations stated that they should embrace the policy of reconciliation because the country is passing through a critical phase.  He asked them to desist from the politics of personal gains and seriously work for the wellbeing of the country. The economic crises that confront the nation require understanding and tolerance among all the parties.

Mr Altaf Hussain pointed out the continuing rise in oil prices that has crossed US $136 per barrel. The shortage of food stuff and the rise in the prices of staple food has taken the shape of a “silent Tsunami”.  In the country there are power shortages, water shortages and the prices of basic necessities such as flour, rice, millets (daal), and vegetables are beyond the reach of common man. The rocketing price of staple food is driving poor people to suicides. Regrettably, our politicians are not paying attention to the fundamental problems of common man. The stock exchange index has continued to fall that is worrying for the entire business community. Even the members of Chambers of Commerce in the country have shown grave concern. The economic uncertainty is forcing them to transfer their capital out of the country.

Mr. Altaf Hussain held that The United States of America and NATO Countries have expressed their extreme dissatisfaction over the political state of affairs of the country. He exhorted that extreme dangers were looming over the borders of the country but alas! The politicians of his country instead of striving to improve the economic condition and providing two square meals a day to the people are dueling on issues that remotely concerns the 98 per cent middle class working people and down trodden segments of the country.

He pressed that the international news media and newspapers are carrying news that the international community was threatening to suspend aid to Pakistan while spiarling oil prices was going to produce a cyclone in the shape of economic crisis which was not anticipated by the politicians and the people at the helm of affairs. He further stressed that the worsening situation is such that the Rupee is rapidly devaluing and reaching levels of 71 Rupees and 136 Rupees to a Dollar and Pound Sterling respectively. Mr. Altaf Hussain said that even during this dangerously delicate situation we are resorting to the politics of agitation and demonstrations while the situation demands seriousness and resolution of conflicts through understanding and reconciliation and desist from all types of confrontations.

In the end, Mr. Hussain appealed to the volunteers of the Khidmat-e-Khlaq Foundation (KKF), a charitable institution to take all necessary steps to provided flour (Atta) and rice to the starving families so that poor do not commit suicide in frustration but learn to live by surviving on one square meal.