ALL POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS PARTIES SHOULD PRACTICALLY
PARTICIPATE IN RELIEF WORK FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London, 28 October 2005....The MQM leader Mr Altaf Hussain has appealed to all political and religious parties in the country to come forward and practically help the earthquake victims in Kashmir and NWFP.  He said that hundreds of thousands of individuals are exposed to severe cold weather, hail and snow storms that can kill them if help does not reach them.  He pointed out that the damage caused by the earthquake of 8 October has not yet been fully fathomed.  This is one of the severest earthquake that the world has ever witnessed and the after-shocks are a daily occurrence ever since. There is a desperate need to assist the victims on emergency basis and no government or a political party can carry this burden on their own.  I, therefore appeal to all the religious and political parties to deploy their workers, ministers, MNA’s and MPA’s throughout Kashmir and NWFP affected areas to save lives.  They are welcome to work with the team of the MQM doctors, medical staff, ministers, Senators, members of National and Provincial assemblies.  This is not the time to air political or personal differences but to hold hands to save lives of innocent victims.  Lives will only be saved through unity and cooperation in the relief effort.  It is our duty to ward off differences and cooperate with one another to save lives of those who escaped death from the natural catastrophe.