AUTOUMMUNE DISORDERS AND SELF-DESTRUCTION
( lecture of MQM founder leader Altaf Hussain)
30th August 2024
Nature has endowed the human body with an immune system that, upon the invasion of bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens (antigens), transmits this information to the brain. Subsequently, the brain orchestrates a response from the immune system. The immune system generates antibodies to combat antigens and eradicate harmful pathogens that invade the body. However, in the case of an autoimmune disorder, this natural defense mechanism malfunctions. Instead of targeting and eliminating external antigens, the antibodies mistakenly attack the body's own healthy tissues, cells, and organs. This erroneous targeting by the antibodies, rather than the harmful pathogens, jeopardizes the body's well-being. In medical terminology, this condition is known as an autoimmune disorder. It is often remarked that if the afflictions of autoimmune disorders, along with their devastating consequences, were to be juxtaposed with the prevailing circumstances in Pakistan, one could assert that every facet of the nation is plagued by this malady. This affliction, much like an autoimmune disorder, has entrenched itself so deeply that it has now reached a point where it seems beyond remedy. Pakistan's administrative framework, public order, law enforcement, and economic systems have been afflicted by a pernicious malady that now seems either impossible or exceedingly difficult to remedy. This malady, much like an autoimmune disorder, has turned the country's institutions against themselves. Rather than safeguarding the nation's borders, protecting the lives and property of its citizens, and neutralizing external threats, the military is engaged in extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the murder of innocent Balochs, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Muhajirs, and Kashmiris. Their mutilated bodies are discarded, and the blame is conveniently shifted elsewhere. This systemic ailment has corrupted Pakistan's political system, administrative infrastructure, economy, politicians, military, ISI, and police. Consequently, Pakistan's economic stability now hinges on foreign loans, handouts, and aid, rather than on self-reliance and sustainable development. Pakistan's army, ISI and Police arrest their own people but they do not arrest the bandits. Due to this disease, Pakistan was divided into two separate States in 1971, but instead of treating this disease, the army is practicing self-destruction in the rest of the country, instead of fighting and killing the enemies of the country, it is killing its own citizens, but when it faces an enemy, they readily surrender to aggressors. I have meticulously diagnosed the malady afflicting Pakistan and now propose a remedy. The potential solution lies in appealing directly to the patriotic generals of the Pakistan army who have not yet succumbed to this autoimmune disorder. They must step forward for the nation's survival and foster an atmosphere of harmony and tranquility. Those citizens who have been forcibly abducted and disappeared must be released. Justice must be served to every oppressed nation within the country to ensure its salvation. I unequivocally condemn the killing of impoverished Punjabi workers in Balochistan and urge the Baloch Freedom Fighters to refrain from targeting these vulnerable laborers. While your struggle is valid, it should not be directed at the poor Punjabi workers. The actions of the Punjab-based military, which involves the enforced disappearances and subsequent killings of Baloch youths, have exacerbated the existing animosity towards Punjab among the Baloch. This has driven them to retaliate by targeting both security forces and ordinary Punjabis. From this perspective, the responsibility for the deaths of these poor Punjabi workers in Balochistan also lies with the military. I appeal to the army to recover all the missing Balochs and also the missing Pashtuns, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Kashmiris, Gilgitis, Baltistanis and Punjabis and save Pakistan.
(Address to the audience on an intellectual session)