ALTAF HUSSAIN DISAPPOINTED AT SADDAM HUSSAIN HANGING

London … 30 December 2006

MQM Founder & leader Mr. Altaf Hussain has described deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's hanging as disappointing, saying in a statement from London that the execution of the former Iraqi President on the auspicious day of Eid -ul-Azha has hurt the sentiments of the Muslims all over the world.

He pointed out that when since the situation in Iraq had become an international issue, Saddam Hussain too should have been tried in International Court of Justice. The MQM leader recalled that all international human rights organisation, including Amnesty International, and US Human Rights Watch, and even the Vatican had condemned the hanging.

His execution on the auspicious Eid-ul-Azha day had hurt the sentiments of Muslims world over, Altaf Hussain said and regretted that hundred of thousands of innocents Iraqis had been killed or wounded during the last three years and the killing of innocent civilians still continuous. He prayed to God Almighty for the peace in Iraq.

ALTAF HUSSAIN CALLS FOR FREEING BALOCH LEADERS AND DIALOGUE WITH
THEM, INSTEAD OF ADOPTING A WAR STRATEGY

London…. December 30, 2006

MQM leader Mr. Altaf Hussain has demanded that BNP leader Akhtar Mengal and all other Baloch leaders be freed immediately and government should start negotiations with them to held improve the Balochistan situation.

Instead of adopting a war strategy to deal with the Baluchistan situation, efforts should focus on dialogue with the leaders of the province, Mr. Hussain said in a statement from London early this morning.

"We should avoid force and try to balm the wounds of the suppressed oppressed people of the province, Mr. Hussain said.

He lamented that some of the central leaders of a leading government party have given advice to the Afghan government that instead of having a war strategy in the neighboring country, the government there must start negotiations with Taliban and Gulbadin Hikmatyar.

Advices are good thing; Mr. Hussain said but thought that those issuing these advices are Pakistanis and instead of issuing advices to others should focus more on the deteriorating conditions in their own. He added that the Pakistan government after ceasefire in Waziristan had entered into a peace treaty with the elders of the area.

The MQM leader in reply to a question as to whether these leaders were not aware of the worsening Balochistan situation and the difficulties faced by the people there, he said, advices and suggestions was the right of every citizen of Pakistan. The situation demanded that Balochistan be given priority. The government must release all these detained Baloch leaders and start dialogue to them, Altaf Hussain said.