FEUDAL SYSTEM IS RIFE IN THE COUNTRY AND AS A RESULT OF THE FEUDAL CULTURE
AND SYSTEM EVERY INSTITUTION OF OUR SOCIETY IS HEAVILY INFLUENCE WITH
FEUDAL MENTALITY INCLUDING THE MEDIA AND JUDICIARY – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 4^th November 2007

MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that feudal system is rife in the country and as a result of the feudal culture and system every institution of our society is heavily influenced with feudal mentality including the media and judiciary. He held the feudal mentality responsible for the ills and wrongs of our society. He was addressing a gathering of Graduate Forum in Karachi over the phone from London, which was attended by university professors and lecturers, intellectuals, poets, writers, journalists etc. In his address Mr Hussain discussed the affect of system of a country and society upon its citizens, prevalent medieval feudal in Pakistan, ad-hocism, political system and the current scenario.

Mr Hussain said that in every country the system affects the minds of citizens. Feudal system is rife in Pakistan that has given birth to feudal mentality and feudal culture, which in turn has influenced every institution of our society. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court and journalism is also not safe from the influence of feudal mentality and feudal culture. When the affectees of 12^th May approached the Sindh High Court to submit their affidavits, an action was taken against them and certain members of media reported that the High Court has been attacked. On the other hand, members of other political parties continued to gather in front of the Supreme Court holding their party flags but no suo moto action was taken. A few lawyers with feudal mentality threatened to burn the Supreme Court building if the decision will not be in their favour and that they will burn the Election Commission Office but no suo moto action was taken. Processions carrying the Supreme Court coffin were taken out but no suo moto action was taken. The law enforcers were punished on the accusation of beating the lawyers and journalists but no action was taken against the lawyers responsible for beating up MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar. In fact all these lawyers were released overnight. He further said that as a result of the feudal system we see adhocism in the country. Feudal system is the opposite of democratic system. The game of musical chair is being played with the names of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif’s as forming the governments in turns. The feudal mentality and feudal culture has also influenced the media, therefore, the program anchors only talk of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and never discuss the third largest political party, the MQM, as an option instead they term MQM as terrorists. He said that our rally was attacked on the 12^th May but we were accused despite the fact that we produced video film which clearly shows the armed attackers. We were participating in the peaceful rally along with our womenfolk and children, armed attack was launched on our peaceful rally and our 14 innocent workers were brutally murdered. After that some elements of the media started a propaganda campaign against the MQM and blatantly ignoring the evidence they accused the MQM of being a terrorist organisation. Mr Hussain asked is this freedom of press to falsely accuse and malign the image of the third largest political party of the country that enjoys the support of millions of people. If people take out peaceful processions to protest against such actions then it will be termed as an attack on journalism. But is this freedom of press that a few anchors continue to falsely accuse the party of baseless allegations, malign its image and we are not even allowed to protest. Such actions of certain elements within the media clearly demonstrate that they too are influenced by the feudal mentality and feudal culture. Because of this feudal culture, in some areas of our country womenfolk are not allowed to express their opinion let alone have the right to vote. It is considered a sin for young girls to get education and some girls schools have been torched as a result. Several women who submitted their nomination papers to contest the elections have been murdered. He asked, do womenfolk of our country have no feelings or sentiments? Should they not have rights equal as men? Mr Hussain said that today the country has reached the stage where we see explosions in country and situation has deteriorated in Swat and Waziristan. The religious extremism and suicidal attacks are also because of feudal culture that freezes our intellect. He said that he respects those who preach the religion in the true spirit of Islam and does not recognise those who preach of barbarism and violence in the name of religion. MQM wants to establish a system with no oppression, where everyone is treated equally and has the freedom to live a respectable and honourable life.

Prominent intellectual and writer, Prof. Farman Fateh Puri, Deputy Convenor of MQM Co-ordination Committee,
Dr. Farooq Sattar, Federal Minister, Dr. A.K.Khanzad and MNA, Hyder Abbas Rizvi addressing to the gathering