ALTAF HUSSAIN’S REFERENDUM HAS TOUCHED A CHORD WITH THE PEOPLE: MUSTAFA KAMAL

KARACHI: 17^TH MAY 2011

Member of Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that it is for the first time in the history of the country the people of Pakistan have been asked to express their views as to how they would like to see the country in future. The referendum was not held to make anyone the President or the Prime Minister. He was talking to the media at MQM Head Office Nine Zero on the seventh day of the public referendum called by Mr Altaf Hussain.

Members of Co-ordination Committee Wasay Jalil, Shahid Latif, MNAs Haider Abbas Rizvi, Fauzia Aijaz and Provincial Minister for Environment were also present alongside Syed Mustafa Kamal.

He said that hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis were enthusiastically taking part in the referendum by answering the questions. The result would be compiled in next two to three days. A joint session of the Co-ordination Committee of the MQM would decide about the future line of action in the light of the views expressed by the people.

He said that the referendum process continued for one week. The questions asked by Mr Altaf Hussain for bringing the country out of current crises were put before the public. The nation was passing through a period of utter despondency and questions were being raised about the institutions responsible for national security and defence. Mr Altaf Hussain took a bold decision in this hour of sheer hopelessness and united the nation on one point through this referendum.

He said that the referendum would bring forward a national opinion which would be helpful in making a future line of action. Mr Altaf Hussain has given the people of Pakistan to express their views in order to bring the country out of problems that are confronting it.

He said that Mr Altaf Hussain has touched a chord with the people and mobilized them in the interest of the country. It was heartening that even young students who are less than 18 years of age were actively participating in the referendum.

Earlier members of print and electronic media were taken on a visit of the camps set up in various parts of Karachi for facilitating the people in taking part in the referendum.