MQM had become a part of the opposition and extended the hand of friendship to the PML (N) and JUI (F)
MQM HAS EMERGED AS A NATIONAL PARTY: ALTAF HUSSAIN
THANKS KASHMIRI PEOPLE AT THE MAGNIFICENT VICTORY OF MQM CANDIDATES

Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has said that with the victory of the MQM candidates in elections for the legislative assembly of Azad Jammu & Kashmir on constituencies LA – 30 and LA – 36, has become evident that the MQM was a national political party. He said that the MQM had roots throughout the country and admirers of Altaf Hussain were present throughout the country in villages and towns. He was addressing a huge gathering of the party workers who had assembled at party head office Nine Zero after the victory of the MQM candidates in the Kashmir elections on the two seats that were earlier postponed.

Mr Hussain thanked Co-chairman of PPP and President of Pakistan Mr Asif Ali Zardari and president of Sardar Ateeq Ahmed for withdrawing their candidates from these seats. He thanked them for making a gesture of goodwill towards the MQM. Mr Hussain thanked the Kashmiri people for the sweeping victory of the MQM candidates. He said that the seats were won by the MQM in the previous elections as well and the MQM candidates had been returned again with landslide victory.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM wanted to establish, solidarity, peace, brotherhood and stability in the country. The country was passing through perilous circumstances and the MQM did not want to indulge in the politics of confrontation. Mr Hussain appealed to all political parties to display unity, stability and work in harmony with each other by setting aside political and ideological differences. He said that the MQM would not lag behind in sincere attempts to bring peace and stability in the country. The MQM would be in the forefront.

Mr Hussain said that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. The Kashmir people were the most important factor of the equation for the solution of Kashmir dispute. Any solution that does not include the Kashmiri people would not be durable.  He said that both India and Pakistan must ensure the participation of Kashmir issue at every level. He asserted that war was not a solution. A number of wars have been fought but the solution of the dispute could only be found by sitting on the table of dialogue. Both the countries must show understanding towards each other and the intellectuals, journalists, people at the helm of affairs and the public at large must start a new journey by forgetting the bitterness of the past so that the Kashmir dispute was resolved once and for all.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM had become a part of the opposition and extended the hand of friendship to the PML (N) and JUI (F). We will praise the good work done by the government and similarly we will criticize for those issues which will be against the will and wish of the people. He said that Governor Sindh was asked to resume his office at the persistent demands of religious scholars, business community, intellectuals, writers, traders and peace-loving people. The Co-ordination Committee arrived at the decision in the light of the appeals from the various segments of the society and I upheld their decision.
Referring to the ISI and the Army he said that both the ISI and the Army were not above the law and constitution. Strong action should be taken if an officer or a general commits misuse of the authority. The people have every right to criticize the ISI and the Army but the USA must be told in clearer terms that no one would be allowed to harm the ISI, the Army and the national defence institutions.
Mr Hussain praised the manner in which people throughout the country condemned the vitriolic speech in Karachi. He appealed to all the ethnic groups in Karachi not to fall prey to the vicious propaganda. He said that the MQM was their own party and it will support them in every possible manner.

Mr Hussain appealed to the leaders and workers of both the PPP and the ANP to work with patience and show toleration for others. He added that no area in the city should be made a no-go area for other political parties. Any area, whether dominated by the PPP, ANP or even the MQM, should be open to all. Speaking about the energy crisis, electricity crisis and price-hike he said that the government must take every possible step to ease the problems being faced by the people. He asked MQM candidates who had been elected in the elections to work for all the people irrespective of their party affiliation, caste, colour and creed. He praised the MQM workers, office-bearers and the co-ordination committee for their tireless work.