Karachi
– 3 October 2002
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has stated that feudal
system is the opposite of progress, therefore, until and unless feudal system is
not completely eradicated from the country, its fate would not change regardless
of holding numerous elections. He
was addressing the MQM election rallies organised in Malir, Surjani Town and
Gizri Clifton, on the eve of Wednesday. People
of different communities and religious minorities attended these rallies in
large numbers. Thousands of
womenfolk and children were also present.
Speaking on the economic crisis faced by the country, Mr Hussain said that Pakistan is way behind in the field of education, health, industrial progress and information technology compared to the countries that gained independence during same period. However, as far as the military rule and corruption is concerned, Pakistan is way ahead. Exports are declining drastically; the country is surviving on resuscitation of foreign aid provided by International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other financial institutions. Pakistan could not survive even for three days without the foreign aid and loans; therefore, the sustenance of the country does not depend on strong defences but upon strong economy. If a country’s economy were in tatters then even a strong defence system would fail to save that country. The reason behind the economic deterioration and the underdevelopment lies in the prevalent medieval feudal system. Mr Hussain said that the 21st Century is the Century of information and technology, computers, electronics, genetics and supersonic industrial development, whereas, feudal system is in opposition to progress. Therefore, the country would not progress until and unless the feudal system is completely abolished. He further stated that progress is not possible without education and because of the feudal system, which is averse to education; the country’s literacy rate is extremely low.
Mr Hussain said that for 55 years, the people of Pakistan tried different political parties and numerous elections were held. The Assemblies have been repeatedly suspended, governments changed but the prevalent system of the country remained the same despite the change of faces. The feudal system is the reason behind the military rule and the failure to establish true democracy in the country. Mr Hussain said that Establishment is the protector of the feudal system, therefore, it assists the parties comprising of big feudals (i.e. jageerdars and waderas). Peoples Party and Muslim League are considered major parties and have ruled the country. However, instead of serving the poor and middle-class citizens and solving their problems, they protected the interests of the feudals. As in every era, the vicious savants supported the cruel kings and autocratic rulers; similarly, in Pakistan the vicious savants and so-called religious parties remain tight-lipped against the oppressions afflicted by feudals including marriages of girls with the Quran and forced detention and torture upon poor peasants and their womenfolk in private jails. Mr Hussain said that these vicious savants use religion as a tool and preach that Allah Almighty selects the rulers and the subjects; therefore, the poor must remain poor and subjugated. The so-called religious parties have always hoodwinked the people in the name or religion. In recent past, they used the slogan of “jihad” in Afghanistan to fight against Russia and sided with America, however, now they are shouting abuse at America.
Mr Altaf Hussain said that the Muttahida Quami Movement is the only political party with no feudal in its ranks and file. MQM represents the poor and middle-class masses. MQM wants the eradication of medieval feudal system and it is peacefully struggling for the rule of 98 percent poor and middle-class masses. It is for this reason that the so-called political and religious parties, who are the protectors of medieval feudal system, oppose the MQM. Because of the peaceful struggle against the medieval feudal system, MQM is the target of State Operation and baseless allegations such as terrorism. MQM, a party of poor and middle-class, is accused of “extortion” when it collects voluntary funds from the public to meet its expenses. Those who hurl such baseless accusations against the MQM never utter a word against the plunderers who looted the national exchequer to build Raiwind and Surrey Palaces. He said that a few leaders allege that the MQM calls for strikes but they conveniently forget that in 1977 during the PNA Movement, religious parties daily called for countrywide strikes. Similarly, after Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged, during the MRD Movement, rail tracks were uprooted, police stations were set ablaze and explosions carried out. If the protests of PNA and MRD against the government oppression are legitimate then how could the peaceful protest by the MQM against extrajudicial killings of its workers and other oppressions could be termed illegitimate or wrong? Peoples Party speaks of democracy, however, in the Elections of 1970, instead of accepting the majority of Awami League, it raised the slogan of “idhar hum udhur tum” (i.e. We here and you there) and refused to accept the public mandate. How could a party, which refuses to accept the public mandate, claim to be democratic? During the rule of Benazir Bhutto, her brother Mir Murtaza Bhutto was ruthlessly murdered, but to date she has failed to expose his “real” killers.
Mr Hussain said that the citizens of the country now recognise the elements who use religion and democracy as an excuse to build their own palaces and would not pay any attention to these elements. He said that rule of the middle class and complete eradication of antiquated feudal system, are vital for the sustenance of the country. He invited the people of middle-class to come forward and join the struggle. He said that we want to attain the rights and honourable livelihood for the poor and middle-class citizens of Pakistan. He assured that the day MQM forms Government at the federal level; it would bring an end to the feudal system. He also spoke in detail about the injustices and grievances faced by the Sindh province. He demanded that as Sindh contributes 70 percent towards the national exchequer, therefore, it should receive its due share, proportionate to its contribution, in the NFC Award. If the Federation disagrees with this demand then all the four provinces must receive equal share.
Mr Hussain said that the people of Pakistan do not need atom bombs or supersonic aircrafts. For survival they need food, water, clothing and medical facilities. They need protection of life and property and a peaceful environment. People need pluralism and such a system where lives and places of worship of all the religious minorities and people of different sects are protected. Addressing the participants, particularly the Punjabis and Pakhtoons, he said that they should spread the message of MQM in NWFP and Punjab, so as to create a countrywide unity of the poor and middle-class masses. He paid tribute to the participants of the rallies and those MQM office bearers and workers who organised these rallies. In the end he introduced the MQM candidates to the public.