Karachi
– 8 October 2002
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has stated that Pakhtoons
have been manipulated the most in the name of religion, however, from now on the
poor Pakhtoons refuse to be deceived in the name of jihad and Islam.
He was addressing a gathering of Pakhtoon youth and elders at Banaras
Chowk in Karachi. Present on the
occasion were MQM Deputy Convenor Sheikh Liaquat Hussain, MQM candidates Maulana
Feroze Uddin Rehmani, Abdul Quddus, Muneer Sheikh, Iqbal Quadri and members of
Pakhtoon Punjabi Organising Committee. During
his address Mr Hussain highlighted the problems faced by the people of Shireen
Jinnah Colony, Sultanabad, Machchar Colony, Hazara Colony, Punjab Colony,
Manzoor Colony, Naval Colony, Qayyumabad, Old Muzaffarabad, Daud Chowrangi,
Sherpao Colony, Qaidabad, Mujahid Colony, Majeed Colony, Dalmia Colony, Gul
Ahmed Muslim Colony, Nusrat Bhutto Colony, Peerabad, Banaras and other areas of
the city.
Mr Hussain said that throughout Pakistan, in the name of jihad the poor Pakhtoons sacrificed their children, whereas the so-called religious leaders send their children to America and western countries for higher education instead of sending them for jihad. The Establishment and the so-called religious parties had done nothing for the welfare of poor Pakhtoons. Mr Hussain said that in Sindh the conscious of the permanently settled Punjabis and Pakhtoons is awakening and they could no longer be hoodwinked in the name of religion.
Mr Hussain paid tributes to Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, leader of Independence Movement, and said that world considered him to be a true revolutionary leader and a freedom fighter. The purpose of his struggle was liberation from the British and as he refused to bow down in front of the British, he was proclaimed a traitor. Speaking of the Pakhtoon-Mohajir massacre Mr Hussain said that to disturb the peace of city and continue with the policy of divide and rule, the Establishment conspired to confront Pakhtoons and Mohajirs living in Karachi against each other. Mr Hussain said that he felt the same sorrow over the murder of Pakthoon brother as on the murder of Urdu speaking person in these massacres. He said that once again the Establishment and the Intelligence Agencies in collusion with the so-called religious organisations are conspiring to pitch the poor people against each other and propagating that after the unity among the Urdu and Sindhi speaking people, the Pakhtoons and Punjabis settled in Sindh would be thrown out. He declared that our struggle is only and only against the Establishment, which has looted the national wealth, and its agents. He assured the Punjabi and Pakhtoon brothers that when Sindh would attain its rights then those Punjabis and Pakhtoons settled in Sindh would also have equal rights. He said that the elements who are spreading negative propaganda are the true enemy of the oppressed people. Addressing the participants he asked the Pakhtoons and Punjabis to pledge that through our unity we would defeat every conspiracy of the Establishment to pitch the poor people against each other.
Mr Hussain said that the people of Sindh are deprived of basic necessities; the Pakhtoons and Punjabis in Karachi are deprived of as water, electricity, gas, educational institutes, medical facilities and employment. He said that instead of providing employment, the employees of government and semi-government institutions are being terminated, thus compelling the oppressed and unemployed people to commit suicides. He demanded the Government to provide basic necessities to the poor and middle-class population and stop the termination of employees from government and semi-government institutions; and to reinstate the terminated employees. He advised the MQM candidates that after getting elected, they should visit every nook and corner of their constituency and do their utmost to solve the problems faced by their constituents.
Mr Hussain said that the huge participation of Punjabis and Pakhtoons today has proved that they are united under the banner of Muttahida and the unity of the oppressed people of Sindh predicts the imminent revolution, which would spread in the NWFP, Balochistan and Punjab and bring about the rule of common people and end the era of loot and plunder. He prayed to Almighty Allah for the prosperity of the unity of oppressed people.