THE WORLD MUST LOOK TOWARDS THE GRACIOUS AND UNPRECEDENTED GESTURE DEMONSTRATED BY PAKISTAN BY GETTING THE INDIAN, EGYPTIAN AND SRI LANKAN HOSTAGES RELEASED ALONGSIDE PAKISTANIS FROM THE CAPTIVITY OF THE SOMALIAN PIRATES – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London-23 June 2011

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in a statement issued from London on the arrival of the Pakistani, Indian, Egyptian and Sri Lankan citizens made hostages by the Somalian pirates at the Karachi Dockyard said that the world must look towards the gracious and unprecedented gesture demonstrated by Pakistan by having released the hostages which has been a service to the noble cause of humanity.

He further added that none of the country can claim the presence of a few bad and rogue elements within the Establishment of their countries and, therefore, the Indian government and the Indian people to look towards the positive side of Pakistan and must appreciate the release of the Indian citizens unconditionally which was an impossible task made possible by the untiring efforts of the Pakistani Navy officers and personnel, Governor of Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, the Head of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust Mr Ansar Burney, The Chief of the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) Mr Ahmed Chinoy and other high officials of the Pakistani government and the Establishment.

Mr Altaf Hussain further emphasised that the world must understand that an extremely difficult task of release of not only four Pakistanis but 6 Indians, 11 Egyptians and one Sri Lankan just in the name of humanity is a reflection of a broader and positive mentality of the entire Pakistani nation. He requested the leaders of the International Community and particularly the Indian leadership to reconsider their attitude, thinking and negative approach just because of inhuman and barbaric acts of a few bad and rogue elements of Pakistan. He further added that they must look toward the majority’s approach and not of a few bad elements. He also appealed to the other concerned leaderships of India, writers, journalists, poets, human rights activists and others to reconsider their past thinking and policies and move a step forward to establish a fresh unbreakable and everlasting friendly relationship with mutual and equal respect, honour and dignity.

Mr Hussain saluted the efforts of all those who made the impossible, possible and also welcomed the Pakistani hostages along with other hostages of different countries and offered his best wishes to their family members. He also congratulated the entire nation on this successful accomplishment. He said that it would be extremely unfair if he did not pay tribute and appreciate the role of the media in this regard. He said that the print and electronic media, their reporters, cameramen, photographers have also equally contributed their positive, constructive and untiring efforts to promote and support for the release of the hostages. Concluding his statement, he paid a high tribute to all those philanthropists whose contribution made this release possible and said that Almighty Allah would reward you for this noble cause and for helping the helpless.