The country is in danger. Middle class can save the country

Altaf Hussain

The problems of the poor can be solved by those who have
experienced hunger and poverty themselves.

I do not desire power or position. My struggle is to change the system.

Discussion with a delegation comprised of intellectuals,
businessmen and political personalities from Punjab.

London 19th May 2008.

Founder and Leader of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr. Altaf Hussain said that the dangers are hovering over the stability and security of the country like dark clouds and only the leadership from the middle class will be able to save the country from these threats. He said that he is not worried about his own position but his main concern is to save the country at this difficult time. He gave these views to the visiting political and intellectual delegation of Punjab which was visiting him at MQM's international secretariat in London. The delegation included Mr. Hassan Nisar (columnist), Mr. Abdul Rasheed Bhatti (former member of Punjab Assembly), Rana Javaid Umar (former town Nazim Iqbal Town, Lahore) and Khawaja Mohammad Sualeh (candidate for National Assembly from Gujranwala and famous industrialist). Various issues were discussed in detail during the meeting including the country's political and economic conditions, the future of democracy as well as the problems and hardships faced by the people of Pakistan.

Mr. Altaf Hussain expressing his views during the meeting said that unfortunately Pakistan has been governed by the 2% feudal elite since its inception. The poor and middle class 98% of the population has been given slogans and have been exploited by feudal politicians for their political gains and power. The masses have been deprived of their fundamental rights. He said that the slogans, however attractive and colorful they may be, will have an effect only if the slogan givers abide by those slogans themselves. He also said that everyone talks about the poor but only the ones who come from the middle class and the poor class will be able to bring about the change in the condition of the poor. Only the ones who have gone through hunger, pain and poverty can understand the problems faced by the poor masses. The feudal lords, tribal chiefs and the landed aristocracy having not suffered poverty will never understand the issues that the masses are faced with.

Mr. Altaf Hussain told the visitors that he was born in a poor household; he gave    tuitions to earn the money to pay for his education and traveled in the local transport buses often hanging on it with one foot on the pedestals. Dire conditions, injustices and sense of deprivation are what gave birth to the movement which started from the educational institutions and thrived to become Muttahida Quami Movement. He said that he has been jailed many times during struggle to attain justice and peace for the society. His brother and his nephew were brutally martyred along with the thousands of his companions who were a part of this movement when it was started. Mr. Altaf Hussain said that since 1987 till 2008,  MQM took part in the general and local elections many times but he never contested any of them because his struggle was not for himself and he did not have any intention or desire to gain any big office but he wants to change the system in the country.

Mr. Altaf Hussain adds that MQM wants to bring about the Middle Class Order in Pakistan in order to bring an egalitarian or just system in which everyone shall be treated with equality and there should be no discrimination of any sort. He further added that neither are we against the rich nor do we want to deprive anyone of his wealth, but we want to stabilize the system where the poor should not be deprived of their basic rights.

Mr. Altaf Hussain said that we are not against feudal lords; however, we are against the feudal system which is prevailing in our country. He added that the Feudal lords also exist in England but the peasants working on their lands are not treated as slaves and they have all the labour and fundamental rights available to them in equality with their masters. We want our peasants and farmers to work in the capacity of agriculture labour and they should have legitimate rights. He said that if MQM ever forms government, we will make laws to give rights to the farmers and peasants. The government will limit the maximum land holdings and the rest of the land will be distributed amongst the farmers.

Mr. Altaf Hussain said that in the current political scenario the stability and sustenance of the country is in danger, the economic situation is grave. Under these circumstances only and only the poor and middle class leadership can save the country. He appealed to the people of Pakistan, especially to the poor, middle class and the youth of Punjab that it is the need of the hour that they should step forward and strive for the eradication of feudalism from the country. He further added that in the current situation the poets, writers, intellectuals and political workers have a greater responsibility and they should play a pivotal role.

 Mr. Altaf Hussain applauded Mr. Hassan Nisar, an eminent intellectual and columnist for his candid columns, comments and analyses in which he highlighted the genuine problems of the country and the nation. He also added that other writers should also exhibit the righteous character as a result of which there will be an awakening in the masses. At the occasion Mr. Hassan Nisar and other political delegates appreciated the political strive, ideology and character of Mr. Altaf Hussain. They applauded his efforts and his struggle to send the poor and middle class to the parliament and to establish the real participatory democracy.

The delegation declared the middle class is the only way to strengthen solidarity of the country and the only way to change the existing conditions of the masses and he called it the order of the day.  The senior deputy convener Mr. Tariq Jawaid, member central coordination committee Mr. Saleem Shahzad, Mr. Mustafa Azizabadi and Mr. Asif Siddiqui were also present at the occasion.