NEW DELHI (NOV 7, 2004)----The founder leader of Muttahida Quami Movement, Mr Altaf Hussain conveyed to the Indian government and the people in unambiguous terms that Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf wanted a truly lasting friendship with India and was working to achieve that objective with complete sincerity.
Addressing a crowded press conference he also explained the benefits for making the Line of Control a temporary border because once the area is demilitarized, and unnecessary interference ceases, it would set the stage for parleys on different issues to begin.
Mr Hussain, currently here for the third day today, emphasized that wars, used as an option for three times already, had failed to yield results.
Secondly, he said that there was a time when India had close relations with former Soviet Union, however, it has more cordial relations with the United States now as compared to Russia. This proves that to acquire better results in changing scenarios, new strategies can be adopted.
Questioned about MQM and its support to President Musharraf, Mr Altaf Hussain remarked that Musharraf despite being army General, had refrained from imposing martial law and held elections within three years of taking over. He was a man of liberal thinking, and had taken a courageous stand on Kashmir.
He conceded that extending support to him was a difficult question. A dramatic change had taken place in the international situation after the 9/11 incident. |Religious extremist parties had arrayed themselves against him. “ We in MQM could never have sided with those with thriving on extremism or perverted logic because the country could have suffered immeasurably’
Secondly, he said, America had left almost no option for Musharraf on the day of the attack on Twin Towers. It was a “with us or against us” situation. The MQM being liberal and prudent in character opted to be with Musharraf because it wanted Kashmir issue to be resolved, and peace and amity to replace tension and conflicts with India.
Replying to a question he
said that MQM was subjected to extra-judicial killings during army operation in
1992, which continued even during the civilian regimes of Benazir Bhutto and
Nawaz Sharif.
About his return to Pakistan from exile, he said, security was the biggest risk. Even President Musharraf,.depite his position of army chief, and prime minister Shaukat Aziz were subjected to murderous assault. It was much better to remain outside and guide his party.
He again reiterated that benefits of improved India-Pakistan ties should accrue to all those in Pakistan, and not just confined to particular areas. Sindh too wanted to have cordial relations with residents across the border. Sindh, he stressed was a prosperous province, contributing 70 percent to national exchequer and if eyes separately with the rest of the country, Pakistan’s integrity would hardly last a month.