The News
International

8 November 1999

Altaf equates dependence on foreign aid with AIDS

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Altaf Hussain, chief of the Muttahida, on Sunday declared that countries depending on foreign aid ultimately suffer like patients of the incurable disease, AIDS, which weakens the body, shatters the immuno-defence system, with the sufferer falling victim to various ailments.

Addressing an intellectuals' gathering under the auspices of the Graduate Forum, in Karachi over telephone from London, he said only God Almighty knew about the future, but people on the basis of their experiences, observations, and analysis to a great extent could foresee and forecast the future.

He told the gathering of educationalists and intellectuals, including professors from the universities, colleges, technocrats, journalists, poets and other people representing every walk of life, said when the atmosphere is close, or clouds appear, one forecasts rain on the basis of sheer observation and experience. However, he added, no computer has been invented which could forecast future political system or set-up in the country.

He said: "Keeping the prevailing situation and developments in the country in view, when we scrutinise facts about the future of Pakistan and the way things move, we could safely conclude that our economy is facing the worst crisis and is on the verge of collapse. We procure loans from the World Bank and the IMF and for its interest repayment, we take more loans. Consequently, the actual loans go on increasing and conditions force us to take further loans for payment of its interest only."

He said the loans provided just temporary relief, but it could not be considered a satisfactory solution to economic problems confronted by the country. Yet, Muttahida parliamentary party leader Dr Farooq Sattar has demanded of Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf to take notice of the partial attitude of police and administration against the Muttahida workers and supporters.

He said that despite the dismissal of the Nawaz government there seemed no visible change in the police attitude towards his party and Mohajirs. He said the Muttahida workers were re-arrested after being granted bail by the courts.