PAKISTAN HAS PROVED IT BELIEVES IN HUMANITY AND COMPASSION NOT HATRED
 BY GETTING INDIAN HOSTAGES RELEASED ALONGSIDE PAKISTANIS – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London-13 June 2011

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) during his telephonic conversation with Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Governor of Sindh province, Mr Ansar Burney, Head of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, a Pakistan NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) and Mr Ahmed Chinoy, Head of the CPLC (Citizen Police Liaison Committee) said that your efforts for release of the Indian Citizens along with Pakistanis, who were made hostages when their ship was seized by the Somalian pirates have proved that Pakistan does not believe in hatred but humanity. Therefore, India shall also promote friendship and brotherhood reciprocating this goodwill gesture!

Mr Altaf Hussain stressed that the hostages were not only Pakistanis but Indian, Sri Lankan and Egyptian and on learning that the Indian philanthropists have refused to cooperate in contributing towards the “Ransom Fund” on crucial juncture, I advised the Governor of Sindh province, Heads of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust and Citizens Police Liaison (CPLC) to continue their efforts regardless to prove the we are the people who believe in magnanimity and humanity.

Addressing the Indian Prime Minister Dr Man Mohan Singh, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Indian Congress Party and entire Indian leadership he said that as a result of the endeavours of the Pakistani organisations Indian citizens have also been released and this is a goodwill gesture towards Indians from Pakistan and India  reciprocating this magnanimity and goodwill gesture of Pakistan shall also demonstrate magnanimity and instead of converting the past misgivings into acrimony pave way for friendly relationship.

Mr Altaf Hussain emphasised that Pakistan does not believe in terrorism, wrong people are present everywhere and to hate the entire country based on that basis is not correct. Pakistan does not believe in hatred, we do not wish to fight but seek friendship and harmony. He further exhorted that we did not even conceive that these are Indians and hostages of enemy country but continued our efforts for their release on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. He hoped that India would also extend the hands of friendship and both countries should prove that they seek peace and stability in the region by their deeds. Mr Altaf Hussain paid great compliments and tribute to Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Governor of Sindh, Mr Ansar Burney, Head of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust and Mr Ahmed Chinoy, Head of the CPLC for their efforts for the release of the hostages and said that God will reward you for relieving the family members of the hostages from mental trauma by getting their loved ones released from the captivity of the Somalian pirates.

Mr Altaf Hussain extended his gratitude to Mr Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan for his cooperation in this regard. He also extended his special thanks to General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the Director General of ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) for his special services rendered for the release of the hostages. He also thanked to all the philanthropists who contributed towards the payment of the ransom. The wife of  Captain Wasi, the captain of the Ship made hostage and his daughter expressed their thanks with great emotions tears rolling out of their eyes, Mr Hussain said these are tears of happiness and addressing the family members of the hostages, he complimented them for exercising high level of patience while suffering from unprecedented mental torture and assured them that during their testing times, he had been making untiring efforts for the release of the hostages and God had accepted his efforts and rewarded in the form of release. In the end, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Mr Ansar Burney, Head of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust and Mr Ahmed Chinoy, praised Mr Hussain his help and contributions towards the release of the hostages. On reminder of Mr Ansar Burney, Mr Hussain especially appealed to the Indian Prime Minster Mr Man Mohan Singh to release Pakistani Professor Chishti, who is in Indian custody, in reciprocation.