Deputy Convener of the Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Dr Farooq Sattar has said that the majority of the people living in Karachi are peace-loving, and the huge success of the peace walk was a victory of the peace lovers and defeat of the enemies of peace. He said that only peace can guarantee advancement, and advancement would in turn bring prosperity. He was addressing the participants of a Peace Walk that started from Bagh-i-Iban-i-Qasim and terminated at the Teen Talwar.
Dr Sattar said that the peace of Karachi have given a very clear message to the criminal mafia and terrorists. They have rejected the extortion mafia and exposed the elements behind the incidents of kidnappings for ransom.
He said that it was a historic day. The people of Karachi have given a clear message to the government and the law-enforcing agencies as well that they would have to be taken on board in the process of establishing a durable peace in Karachi. They would have to be involved in the efforts for bringing peace in Karachi.
He said that there were only a handful of criminal elements, religious extremists and terrorists practising violence in order to achieve their vile objectives. The overwhelming majority of the people of Karachi want peace and stability in the city because they want to see peace and stability in Pakistan.
He said that the people of Karachi have shown that they value peace and believe that peace was indispensable for advancement. They have spoken loudly and rejected the elements that were always conspiring to undermine peace in the city.
He said that Karachi was the economic hub of Pakistan and engine of progress. If there is economic activity in Karachi, it would give stimulus to the economic development of Pakistan. It would create employment opportunities and bring economic independence.
He termed the peace walk as a referendum against every form of terrorism, religious extremism and sectarianism. The participants of the peace walk have spoken in favour of transforming Pakistan into a civilized, welfare and democratic polity.
Speaking on the occasion Senator Mustafa Kamal said that the elements responsible for creating the law and order situation in Karachi were, in fact, conspiring against Pakistan. He said that the people of Karachi would frustrate the negative propaganda by establishing peace and brotherhood.
Senator Kamal said that the outpouring of the people on the appeal of MQM Founder and Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has shown that they want nothing but peace. It would help in creating an environment of peace and harmony in Karachi.
Senator Kamal said that Karachi was the gateway of Central Asia and the backbone of the economy of Pakistan. If Karachi is allowed to fall into destruction, Pakistan would suffer.
MNA Khushbakht Shujaat also spoke on the occasion.