ALTAF HUSSAIN WARMLY WELCOMED IN INDIA, MEETS INDIAN LEADER IN NEW DELHI

New Delhi - 4 November 2004

Founder leader of Muttahida Movement Mr Altaf Hussain has offered to play his role in improving the bilateral relationship between |India and Pakistan and called for a meaningful partnership between the subcontinent neighbors.

He was given a warm welcome on arrival here on his maiden journey from Britain after years of exile, and was greeted by leader like Nirmala Deshpande, apart from receiving a formal iftar invitation from the Sajjada Nashin of the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia.

Representatives of the two-day international conference on “ Indian and World” organized by Hindustan Times received and garlanded him on alighting at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and no sooner he came out of the terminal building, a huge crowd of party workers, parliamentarians, and office bearers of MQM, present here since two days before, burst into loud cheers, garlanded him profusely, and surged forward to shake hands with them.

Most of them, ladies and elders alike, broke into tears on meeting him after almost a decade. Altaf holding back tears, counseled them to be patient and remain disciplined., paying them eloquent tributes for holding aloft courageously the banner of the party and remaining loyal to its principles despite all odds.

Representatives of the Association of Peoples of Asia and others accompanied him on carcade, which Mr Hussain had to slow down at places on way to Maurya Sheraton Hotel to acknowledge the greetings of his enthusiasts.

Banners in English, Hindi and Urdu and portraits of Mr Hussain adorned vantage points in the Indian capital. Soon after his arrival member of the Indian parliament, and leader of the Communist parts Marxist India (CPIM) Yusuf Tari Gami, called upon him. Mr Hussain later spoke to prominent Indian leader Nirmala Desphande who hailed his visit as a good omen for better Indo-Pak relations that will contribute to peace in the region.

The invitation for Iftar was given by Sajjada Nmashin of Shrine of Hazrat |Nizamuddin Aulia, who prayed for his long life. Mr Hussain accepted the invitation with humility.