US AND NATO MUST RESPECT SOVEREIGNTY AND BORDERS OF PAKISTAN: ALTAF HUSSAIN

PRESS AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA SHOULD REFRAIN FROM SPECULATIONS ON THE HEALTH OF PRESIDENT ASIF ZARDARI

KARACHI: 9^TH DECEMBER 2011

Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has denounced the attack by the NATO forces on the Salala border post in Mohmand Agency in which 24 soldiers and officers of Pakistan Army were martyred. He said that Pakistan is a sovereign country, and the US and other NATO countries must respect the sovereignty and geographical borders of Pakistan.
 

Mr Hussain was addressing a huge gathering of the MQM workers and supporters in Jinnah Ground, Azizabad Karachi on the occasion of Youm-i-Shuhada, observed by the MQM on 9^th December every year to commemorate the memory of the martyrs of the movement. The address was being relayed to many locations in the country simultaneously, where similar gatherings were held for the occasion.
 

Speaking about the illness of President Asif Zardari, Mr Hussain said that the press and electronic media must refrain from unnecessary speculations and giving airs to rumours. He said that it was unethical to discuss the illness of the president in such inappropriate as the office of the president represented the unity of the federation irrespective of the person holding the office. He said that it was particularly inadvisable to indulge in such rumour mongering as the country was in the grip of internal and external threats. He also prayed for the complete health of the president.
 

Mr Hussain said that the government has tried to solve the issue of drone attacks and intrusion by the NATO forces inside Pakistani territory through dialogues and negotiations. He praised the government, the cabinet and the prime minister for taking bold decisions in the aftermath of the unprovoked NATO aggression. He also expressed unity and solidarity with the armed forces and other defence institutions and assured them of full support.
 

Mr Hussain said that the unwarranted NATO attack had united the nation, and they have given a clear message to the world that they would become solidly united if there was any thread to the national security. The way the people had got united was reminiscent of the war between India and Pakistan in 1965 when the entire nation was infused with unity.
 

Mr Hussain condemned the blast near Safoora Chowrangi in which three rangers died. He praised the Rangers for fighting the terrorists with courage and determination.

Earlier Mr Hussain paid glowing tributes to the MQM martyrs and missing persons. He said it was the day to renew the pledge that the MQM was the party that was making constant struggles for the oppressed people in the country. He said that the MQM was making practical efforts to empower the poor and the middle-class people in the country by awarding tickets to them at the time of elections purely on merit. He said that there was no other example in the country where poor and middle-class people were given party tickets without any money.
 

Mr Hussain said that there was no magic in Altaf Hussain. It was only because of his love that the workers and supporters of the MQM were attracted towards in although he was not physically present among them for over twenty years.
 

Mr Hussain appealed to the younger generation to become a part of the MQM and bring a real revolution in the country. He asked them to elect honest people in the elections and bury the medieval feudal system once and for all. He condemned the hereditary politics firmly rooted in the country and said that election of all members of a family was a cruel joke to the country.
 

Mr Hussain particularly appealed to the people of Punjab to make the upcoming election in Multan successful.