IN THE NEAR FUTURE, LYARI WOULD BE THE “FORTRESS OF MUTTAHIDA” – ALTAF HUSSAIN

Karachi - 9 September 2002
MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that our goal is not Elections but resolution to public grievances and alleviate deprivation.  He said that we would continue to struggle until the power is handed over to the people.  He was speaking to the political workers, Sindhi and Baloch youth, elders and women from Lyari, who came to Khursheed Begum Hall to join the MQM. The gathering consisted of most of the people who had quit different political parties to join the MQM was led by Haji Yunus. The MQM Deputy Convenor Shoaib Bukhari Advocate and members of Sindh Organising Committee, welcomed the delegation.

Welcoming the delegation Mr Altaf Hussain said, that he wholeheartedly welcome the Baloch and Sindhi brothers, elders, mothers and sisters for visiting his home.   Welcoming those who joined the MQM, Mr Hussain warned the Establishment that consciousness is awakening amongst the people and coercion cannot suppress or eliminate the voice of Muttahida.  He said that the people of Lyari are facing many problems including unemployment.  They are being deprived of education, health and even clean drinking water.  The people of Lyari supported different political parties for the solution of their problems but these political parties only paid lip-service, raised slogans and nothing else to solve the problems.  However, after Elections, they did nothing and never even visited Lyari except for photo sessions.  In support of these political parties, the people of Lyari were punished with lashes, were even sent to the gallows.  However, in return the political parties, for whom they sacrificed, did nothing for the people of Lyari.   Mr Hussain said that when Muttahida started its work in Lyari, no one knew about the Elections, and during that time the people of Lyari informed us about the lack of medical facilities in the Area.  We immediately responded and established a dispensary in Lyari.  Mr Hussain said that we do not believe in rhetoric, we do not mislead the public – we promise what we can deliver.  He said, whether we win the Elections or not, we would continue to do our best to solve the problems faced by the people of Lyari.  Mr Hussain said that the proof of MQM’s righteousness lies in that the people are uniting under its banner and very shortly the public will be rewarded for the sacrifices they have made.  The self-serving elements would be defeated.

Mr Hussain said that our goal is not the Elections but the solution to the problems faced by the public and to attain the rights of the deprived people.  We would continue to struggle for the rights of the people and until the rule is handed over to the common-man.  Mr Hussain invited those present to visit his house and witness that it is the same home from where he started the Movement during his student life.  The MQM’s mayors and deputy mayors were elected, MQM remained in government, however, he never aspired to acquire properties or bungalows in Clifton or Defence Society.  Even today, he has a 120 yards small home.  He said that he has no desire for palaces; in fact he wants the solution to the problems of the poor and the attainment of their deprived rights.  Mr Hussain said that the joining of the Baloch and Sindhi youth, elders and women with the MQM is a welcome sign.  In the near future it would be proved that only Liaquatabad and Federal B Area are not the strongholds of the MQM but also Lyari would become the “Fortress of Muttahida”.