Karachi – 7th September 2005
Mr Altaf Hussain, the Founder & Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement has appealed to MQM workers, office bearers, sympathisers and public at large to remain peaceful on 9 September 2005, the day MMA, ARD and other opposition parties are going to observe a strike. There should be no reaction to this baseless strike regardless of any provocative behaviour from the other side, in order to defeat the conspiracies of so-called opposition parties. The reason he called them ‘so called opposition’ is, because on the one hand the religious parties are enjoying the perks and facilities provided by the government, but on the other hand they are asking the public for sacrifices. If these parties are true to their principles, they should quit the government positions and stop hypocritical behaviour. Instead of asking sacrifices from public, they should come forward to sacrifice themselves. The ARD parties and their alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami prove that they are together in exploiting the national exchequer for personal gains. For their personal gains all these parties tried their level best to destroy the peace in Karachi and other parts of Sindh province during the local bodies elections. But the MQM workers, office bearers, sympathizers and public at large adhered to the appeal of their leader and remained calm and peaceful. The young men & women of MQM defeated the nefarious designs of these parties. He asked the MQM workers and office bearers to convey his message to all the Haq Parast Punjabi, Pakhtoon, Baluch, Urdu Speaking and Sindhi Speaking Sindhis, Saraikis, Kashmiris and people of religious minorities to exercise restraint on 9 September. Mr Altaf Hussain pointed out that after the events of 9/11 in New York and 7/ 7 in London the international political situation is rapidly changing. Pakistan is passing through a critical phase. In this crisis situation the opposition parties should demonstrate maturity and desist from unnecessary strike calls, terrorist activities and hooliganism. Regrettably, they do not learn from past mistakes and are bent upon harming the country.
Mr. Altaf Hussain said that after the 2002 general elections ARD and MMA have been unashamedly trying to get the prime ministership from the President. When their unjustified demands were not met they resorted to permeating anarchy in the country. Have they no love for the people and future of Pakistan? Are they not complying with the aspirations of country’s enemies? He asked the members of Coordination Committee to convey his message of restraint to all the workers and the public through MQM Units. They must not react to provocative actions and stay calm. That is the only way to defeat the nefarious designs of these elements. Mr Altaf Hussain asked the federal as well as provincial governments to take serious notice of such provocative behaviour that encourages anarchy and take strict actions against these elements according to the law and constitution.