MQM WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY SOLUTION OF THE KASHMIR ISSUE WHICH IS AGAINST THE WILL
AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE KASHMIRIS – ALTAF HUSSAIN

SPEAKS WITH PRIME MINISTER OF KASHMIR SARDAR MUHAMMAD YAQUB ON HIS VISIT TO NINE ZERO

London – 23^rd February 2009

Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has stated that the people of Kashmir are conscious and well informed and are fully capable of deciding their future. He categorically said that MQM will not accept any such solution of the Kashmir issue which is against the will and aspirations of the Kashmiris. He was talking to the Prime Minister of Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Yaqub on his visit to Nine Zero, the MQM Head Quarter. Also present on the occasion were Ministers from Kashmir Dr Muhammad Riaz, Tahir Khokhar and Deputy Speaker Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly Saleem Butt; and also the Members of MQM Coordination Committee. Mr Hussain welcomed the Prime Minister of Kashmir and other Ministers to Nine Zero. He also praised them for offering fateha at the martyrs graveyard, inviting industrialists of Karachi to set up industries in Kashmir and for open heartedly accepting MQM’s mandate. He said that MQM’s stance on Kashmir issue is clear that the Governments of Pakistan and India must not use the people of Kashmir as football and instead of dictating the Kashmiris; they should give the Kashmiris the right to decide for their future. Kashmir is of the Kashmiri people and courageously brave people of Kashmir are capable to decide for their future.

Mr Hussain said that the Prime Minister of Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Yaqub has a pleasant and social personality and feels the pain of Kashmiris. Since he has become the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, he has been working for the people of Kashmir and taking the Kashmiri people, Members of Parliament and all political parties with him. As a result the political atmosphere of Kashmir has changed. He expressed his hope that in the tenure of Sardar Muhammad Yaqub; he will be able to address the grievances of the people of Kashmir. He said that by visiting Nine Zero the Prime Minister has reduced the distance between Kashmir and Nine Zero. It feels that Nine Zero is also part of Kashmir and similarly Kashmir is part of Nine Zero. He reminded that during the earthquake of Kashmir the Haq Parast Senators, MNAs, MPAs, MQM workers, doctors of Medical Aid, Paramedical Staff and volunteers of KKF offered their services and proved that Kashmiris are not strangers to us. He said that MQM is not the party who collects funds in the name Kashmir and then usurp it, in fact it practically offered help for Kashmiris in their time of need. Mr Hussain requested the President, Prime Minister and the Federal Cabinet to increase the development funds for Kashmir. He said that he will also ask the Governor Sindh and City Nazim to visit Kashmir and offer their assistance and support in the development of Kashmir. He said that it is his wish that the Kashmir Issue is resolved on permanent basis and Kashmir appears on the map of the world as heaven on earth. He reiterated his and MQM’s unconditional support to the people of Kashmir and that MQM will stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

The Prime Minister Kashmir offered his gratitude to Mr Hussain for his supportive and courageous stance on Kashmir issue and said that such feelings should be spread throughout the world. He thanked Mr Hussain for playing his role in the formation of the Government in Azad Kashmir and requested for his continued support. He acknowledged that the progress and developmental work in Karachi is the direct result of Mr Hussain’s instructions and vision. He hoped that this rhythm of success and progress will also be replicated in Kashmir. He thanked President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani for their special attention to the development funds of Kashmir.