REVOLUTION, REVOLUTION, REVOLUTION: ALTAF HUSSAIN

ADDRESS ON THE 27TH FOUNDATION DAY OF MQM 

KARACHI: 18TH MARCH 2011 

The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement Mr Altaf Hussain has said that the coming time is the time of revolution and MQM will emerge as the largest political party in the days ahead and bring revolution in the country. He was addressing huge gatherings of MQM workers and supporters at 34 different locations including USA and Canada.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that MQM will free the country from IMF and its debts and from the influence of the United States and other foreign powers. He said that MQM will make friendship with foreign countries but it will not allow any country to become our masters. Our friendship will be on the principle of equality.

“MQM will make Pakistan a sovereign and autonomous country where there will be rule of law. It will make Pakistan into a country where there will not be any difference between rich and poor and where no one will have any superiority as enshrined in the Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet.”

Speaking about Raymond Davis and Dr Aafia he said if there were an MQM government, Dr Aafia would not have been in the captivity of the United States. “MQM would not have allowed the release of US spy Raymond Davis who had killed people in Lahore if Dr Afia would not have been released.”

“I say to the US Government that you have given blood money for the release of Raymond Davis. By the same token those innocent people who have been killed in drone strikes in North Waziristan and other parts of the tribal areas must also get compensation. I appeal to you to release Dr Aafia on moral grounds”

Referring to the drone strikes in the tribal areas of the country he said that innocent people are being killed in these drone strikes. “Geographical limits of every country must be protected under the Charter of United Nation. Are the drone strikes according to the UN Charter?”

Speaking about the current political and economic situation in the country he said that our condition was worse than those of beggars. “All this because we continue to elect the same people who did nothing but aggrandize personal wealth through ill-gotten money and emptied the national exchequer. We continue to elect those who availed huge loans and got them written-off.”

“I say to the people to vote for MQM and I can assure that we will sell the properties of those who have taken huge loans and got them written-off. We will recover every single penny and deposit it in the national exchequer.”

“I ask the people of Pakistan why you keep running after the same political parties and leaders who have been tested time and again. If you keep on electing these parties and leaders there would be unemployment, people will be forced to sell their children due to poverty and commit suicide.”

“Do you want honour or servitude? If you want to live with honour then you must elect MQM and people belonging to the 98 per cent poor and middle class. You will have to elect those who qualify on merit. This is the only way to make a turnaround”

Speaking about the threats and intimidation by foreign powers he asked the government and the armed forces to pluck up courage and be assured that every Pakistani will stand behind you. MQM will raise a force of one million youth if a need arises to confront any super power.

Referring to religious extremism he said the MQM wants harmony and not extremism. “This country belongs to the Sunnis, Shiites, and even minorities. MQM wants every type of moderation in the lights of the teachings of the Holy Quran which says that there is no compulsion in religion. MQM demands equal rights for the minorities in the country. It also wants equal rights for the women.”

Speaking about the shortfall in electricity and gas supply he said that the tariff of gas and electricity have been increased irrationally by the imposition of different types of taxes. He said that the income of the big feudal lords and industrialists should be taxed instead of burdening the people beyond their capacity.

“We sided with the United States in the cold war between the United States and the Russia. I say to the US Government that you should support Pakistan in every possible manner because we stood by you when you needed us.”

He said that if MQM forms government then it will make friends with India, China and Afghanistan and the Kashmir dispute will be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. “We do not want war with India. I want to say to the Indian government that we recognize you. You should likewise accept Pakistan with an open heart.”

Referring to the demand or provinces by the people of Hazard and Southern Punjab he said that MQM supports that the demand of the majority of the people. “When I spoke about the formation of provinces earlier some nationalists said that Altaf Hussain wanted to divide Sindh. I want to make it clear that MQM wants to keep Sindh intact. We do not want to create any division. We want to live like brothers.”

Referring to the situation in Baluchistan he said, “I appeal to the government, military and other agencies to solve the Baluchistan issue through negotiations and give rights to the people of Baluchistan. Embrace the Baluchi people and stop all kinds of military operations.”

Referring about the jails being operated by the feudal lords he said, “I say to the farmers and peasants of the Sindh and Punjab that these feudal lords imprison you in their personal jails and abuse your women. Support MQM and these feudal lords will be given such punishment that they will become admonishment for others.”

Speaking about judiciary he requested the honourable judges of the sessions court, high courts and the Supreme Court to pursue the cases of poor and helpless people as well besides deciding the cases of the rich people quickly. People are languishing in jail and have spent even more time behind the bars then they could have possibly been sentenced.

Referring about karo-kari and killing of innocent women in the name of honour, he said that MQM will make laws to given exemplary punishment to these heinous crimes.

He asked the people to work with dedication and honesty and learn from the progress made by China.

Earlier reminiscing about the long history of MQM took off as Muhajir Quami Movement 27 years ago on 18th March 1984. “No one could have imagined that the organization that originated in the student organization APMSO would transform into a public organization and would spread even in the far flung corners of the country.

Mr Altaf Hussain congratulated members of the Co-ordination Committee, office bearers of all the wings of MQM, workers and general public on the happy occasion of the 27th Foundation Day of the party.