Karachi – 21st November 2004....In the larger interest of the people of both the countries, those at the helm of affairs and intellectuals in Pakistan and India must talk of love and peace instead of warfare. The Kashmir will never be resolved through war but by meaningful dialogue. And if the so-called intellectuals have qualms over the suggestion of accepting the Line of Control (LoC) as temporary border to start the negotiations and do not accept the peaceful path – then war is the only other solution. Those who dislike peace may go to war and if Kashmir belongs to them then we will acknowledge this. This was stated by MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain while speaking to gatherings of workers organised in fifteen different cities of Sindh including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Thatta, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Badin, Dadu, Shikarpur, Larkana, Noshero Feroze, Ghotki, Khairpur, Jacobabad and also in Belgium.
Giving details of his visit
to India Mr Hussain said that he has forthrightly presented his point of view in
the international conference in New Delhi, which has been appreciated by all the
peace loving people of the world including India. However, certain so-called
Pakistani intellectuals has deliberately presented a distorted version of the
speech, levelled false and baseless accusations and published biased articles
full of their chauvinistic mentality. These intellectuals were not happy that a
citizen of Pakistan has presented the country’s case in the international
conference and raised his voice for the rights of oppressed Kashmiris,
Palestinians, Iraqis and for the rights of the people of smaller provinces. In
fact, they were envious that the Indian papers praised him of “stealing the
show”. These so-called writers without reading the speech began to criticise
that Altaf Hussain has demanded to make the Line of Control as the permanent
border, which is not true. Mr Hussain said that he categorically suggested in
his speech that the Pakistan and India should accept the Line of Control as the
temporary border to begin the dialogue, retrieve their respective forces from
the border and commence a system of joint watch. “The LoC even today is
considered as an international border and I have only presented by suggestion
with modest amendment so the process of dialogue can commence”, he said. The
chauvinism of these so-called intellectuals clearly indicates that they have no
interest whatsoever with the security, integrity and sustenance of Pakistan,
problems faced by the people and most importantly with the peaceful resolution
of Kashmir Issue. He advised all the so-called intellectuals and writers, who
have qualms over accepting LoC as the temporary border and the peaceful path to
dialogue, to take up arms, go to Kashmir and wage jihad. The Kashmir Issue will
not be resolved through war but through peaceful and meaningful dialogue – and
those who talk of warfare and emotionalism are not sincere to Pakistan. We
should learn lessons from Europe and adopt the path of peace and friendship
instead of war. The common people of Pakistan and India need food, education,
health, clean drinking water and basic necessities of life – they do not need
arms and ammunition. At this moment Mr Hussain pleaded with the leaders and
intellectuals of Pakistan and India to speak of love and peace and not hatred;
getting together and not distancing apart, and of opening trade between the two
nations, show flexibility in our attitude as this is in the larger interest of
the people of both the countries.
Mr Hussain asked the audience in Karachi and fifteen other cities of Sindh,
“do you want friendship, better relations and peace between Pakistan and
India?” Everyone unanimously replied, “Yes”. He again asked, “Do you
want warfare between Pakistan and India?” Everyone unanimously replied,
“No”. Mr Hussain announced that
the people of Sindh have unanimously decided that friendship must be established
between Pakistan and India and not war. He said that during his visit to India
he presented the country’s case to the Indian think tank and was assured by
them that they want peace and resolution of all issues through peaceful and
meaningful dialogue. The people of both the countries do not want another war
and are pressing upon their respective countries to make friendship. He said
that subsequent to his visit to India love has taken over hatred, the Indian
forces are being recalled from Kashmir and the Indian Prime Minister has invited
all the Kashmiri groups for talks. He said he has talked with Indian leaders of
opening the Khokhrapar Border, flexible visa policy and reopening of Indian
Consulate in Karachi – And by the Grace of Allah Almighty, the Khokhrapar
border will open and also the Indian Consulate in Karachi. Mr Hussain reiterated
that we are peace-loving people and believe in resolution of all the issues
through peaceful and meaningful dialogue and we wish that all the smaller
provinces will be awarded their rights and full provincial autonomy. He stressed
that the MQM believes that the sustenance of Pakistan lies in abolishing the
medieval and archaic feudal system and providing full provincial autonomy. He
praised the workers and the general public over the huge success of his visit to
India and attributed this to their determination and resolve.