SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI VISITS NINE ZERO

KARACHI: 23^RD APRIL 2011

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called for bringing the agricultural income of big landlords under the tax for improving the economic condition of the country instead of imposing the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST). He said this while talking to the press and media at MQM Head Office Nine Zero after holding talks with the members of the Co-ordination Committee of the MQM. Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar was also present on the occasion.

Mr Qureshi said that he would always remember the warm welcome that he has been accorded to him at Nine Zero. He said that it is the unique distinction of Mr Altaf Hussain that he has introduced the poor and middle class people in the politics of the country and said that the economy of the world has progressed by virtue of the middle class people. He said that the attempts to confine the MQM amounted to short-sightedness. He said that he supported the coming of the MQM in the mainstream national politics and welcomed the MQM in the Punjab.

Mr Qureshi hailed the decision of the MQM and Mr Altaf Hussain for strengthening the federation by coming in the Punjab and added that it was the need of the hour to bring forward positive and constructive approach by rising above personalities and regions and think only about Pakistan.

Mr Qureshi said that Pakistan is in the grip of many challenges. The biggest challenge, he said, that confronted the country is the falling economy. He said that the energy crisis and the weakening law and order situation adversely affected the economy of the country and hence it was necessary that all the political forces that wanted economic progress and stability in the country get united.

Mr Qureshi said that the Punjab is the largest province and there is no harm in the demand for more provinces for good governance. He said that he has visited Nine Zero as a political worker.

Dr Farooq Sattar welcomed Mr Qureshi and thanked him for visiting Nine Zero. He said that the middle class is the backbone for any country and no country can move ahead if its middle class has been cornered and pushed against the wall.

Dr Sattar said that the MQM wants to strengthen the federation of Pakistan by empowering the administrative units through provincial autonomy. He said that the internal and external threats facing the country were discussed in the meeting with Mr Qureshi and there is a consensus that the Baluchistan issue must be given utmost importance.

Dr Sattar said that the coming budget will be an acid test for the government. He said that the suggestions advanced by the MQM for economic uplift of the country and the people must be given serious considerations.

Dr Sattar said that Karachi is the economic lifeline of the country and hence the economy of the country cannot improve unless the law and order situation here in Karachi is improved. He said that the peace and tranquillity cannot be restored unless extortion, drug, land and weapon mafias are finished.