Karachi
– 26 September 2002
MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has appealed to all the
religious and political parties to observe democratic norms and run their
respective election campaign peacefully instead of resorting to terrorism.
He asserted that while observing the democratic norms we would accept the
victory, achieved through public support, of our opponents.
Similarly, if we are successful then our victory should be accepted
gracefully. He was addressing
election rallies in Lyari, North Nazimabad and Lines Area, which were organised
on Wednesday 25 September 2002. Thousands
of people attended these rallies including people from different communities and
religious minorities.
Speaking of the situation in Lyari, Mr Hussain said that huge number of Lyariites are joining the MQM, causing havoc and distress to the Pakistan Peoples Party, which has resorted to harassing Baloch workers and supporters of the MQM. A few days ago, MQM worker Farooq Sarbazi was brutally murdered. Only two days ago, the rivals attacked a corner meeting of the MQM and tortured the participants. The members of Pakistan Peoples Party should be ashamed of their behaviour against the people of Lyari. The people of Lyari sacrificed the most for Pakistan Peoples Party. After Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged, they were of the receiving end of lashes and many were sent to prisons. However, the Peoples Party had done absolutely nothing for the people of Lyari. Being disappointed with Peoples Party, the people of Lyari, while exercising their democratic rights, have decided to support Muttahida, they are being victimised. He reminded the Peoples Party of the fact that the people of Lyari would accept the gallows rather than bow their heads against oppression. He advised the youth of Lyari to remain peaceful even when the Peoples Party workers verbally abuse them. Only those people indulge in agitation who foresee their defeat. Expressing regret over the agitational activities of Jamaat-e-Islami Mr Hussain said that whatever Peoples Party is doing in Lyari, the same is being performed by Jamaat-e-Islami in North Nazimabad. Recently, an MQM supporter Aziz Ullah Abbasi was fired upon and ruthlessly murdered. He extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his family.
Mr Hussain appealed to the workers and supporters of North Nazimabad to remain peaceful and not to get agitated as a result of the terrorist activities of the opponents. He also appealed to the religious and political parties to continue their election campaign peacefully and respect democratic norms. He asserted that observing the democratic norms we would accept the victory, achieved through public support. Similarly, if the people make us successful then our victory must be accepted wholeheartedly.
Mr Hussain demanded of the President Musharraf, Heads of Intelligence Agencies and people at the helm of affairs to ensure that the forthcoming elections are independent, free and transparent by immediately abolishing the No-Go Areas, so as to enable the Haq Parast candidates to enter into these areas to meet with their voters. He warned not to test our patience because if we would decide on our own to enter into the No-Go Areas then not only the people from District Central and West but also the people of Lyari would join the procession. He demanded that the displaced families from Lines Area, Landhi, Korangi, Malir and Shah Faisal Colony must be rehabilitated in their homes and protected. Mr Hussain said that the Haqiqi Terrorists are harassing the people of Lines Area and propagating that MQM has relinquished the Mohajir rights. He said that this is a baseless propaganda. MQM in association with all the oppressed people of Pakistan is struggling for the rights of Sindh province. Those who are accusing Muttahida of relinquishing the Mohajir rights must search their souls that they traded their conscience with the agencies and not only massacred Mohajirs and but also aided the State Operation against Mohajirs. The naked terrorism could not deter the determination and resolve of the people of Lines Area and other No-Go Areas. They were with Muttahida in the past and even today they remain with the MQM. Expressing his condolences to the family members of the martyred MQM workers he assured that we would continue with our mission for which they sacrificed their lives and would not surrender at any cost.
During his address Mr Hussain highlighted the water shortage in Lyari, failure of sewerage system, conditions of educational institutes and other problems in detail. He stated that the Muttahida assures the people of Lyari that if Muttahida forms the Government then it will improve the water and sewerage system in Lyari, establish a modern hospital and establish degree colleges for male and female students. He demanded of the Government not to ban the use of jhilli (basket) in Fisheries, which could result in the unemployment of hundreds of thousands the people of Ali Mohammad Kalri and other areas.
Mr Hussain said that the people of North Nazimabad have always vigorously participated and supported the MQM’s struggle, despite the intense State oppression. Speaking of the tragic incident at Taqi Plaza on 12 August 1998, Mr Hussain extended his heartfelt condolences to the family members and assured that their sacrifices would not go to waste and at an appropriate time their blood would be avenged.
Mr Hussain termed the participation of large number of people from various nationalities and communities in MQM rallies as a pleasant event and asked that who will now stop MQM because Muttahida has now become the heartbeat of the people of every area, cast, ethnicity, nationality and every community. Addressing the Punjabis, Pakhtoons and other communities Mr Hussain assured that when Sindh would attain its rights then they would also be entitled to equal rights. If Muttahida comes to power then the first thing it would do is to provide water to every water deprived area from Karachi to Kashmore, problem of load-shedding would be resolved, the cost of groceries would be decreased, schools, colleges and computer institutes will be established throughout Sindh and a network of hospitals and medical units would be incorporated. Cottage industries and industrial homes would be established, sewerage system would be improved, law and order situation would also be improved by recruiting local residents in police and administration. He extended his gratitude to the MQM workers and office bearers for organising such elegant public rallies.