PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN ARE UNITED FOR THE STABILITY OF DEMOCRACY: ALTAF HUSSAIN

PAKISTAN IS FACED WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL THREATS

PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN ARE STANDING BEHIND PRESIDENT ZARDARI

KARACHI: 30^TH OCTOBER 2011

Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has said that the people of Sindh have raised themselves above the barriers of language and ethnicity in order to demonstrate that they were firmly united for democracy and standing solidly behind President Asif Zardari. He said this while addressing a huge “Stability of Pakistan and Democracy” rally of the MQM at the Tibet Centre in Karachi.

Mr Hussain said that the PML (N) leaders tried to create an impression that the government was about to fall. Mian Shahbaz Sharif got carried away in his zeal for oratory and said that the president and his people would be hanged at the Bhati Gate. “We do not want to talk about hanging, but we want to make it clear that we will not beat a retreat.”

Mr Hussain said that Shahbaz Sharif raised the slogan of “Go Zardari Go” and hurled abuses. He could be paid back in the same coin but the sea of people present at the Tibet Centre was saying, “No Sharif brothers No." He said Sindh is the land of peace and tranquility, and hence they could not use inappropriate language like the Chief Minister of Punjab.

Mr Hussain asked the PML (N) leaders to wait and contest the coming elections. They could come in power if the people supported them in the elections. The people of Pakistan would not support undemocratic and autocratic steps. Asif Zardari faced incarceration for more than eleven years whereas as the Sharif brothers begged forgiveness of the generals within fifteen days and made off to Jeddah.

Mr Hussain said that Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif should first give justice to the daughter of the nation and his daughter-in-law before seeking justice for others. The scions of the Raiwind estate were living the life of profligate Moghul princes, and they wanted to tell the world that they lived in small houses and sustain themselves by eating dried bread with water.  

Mr Hussain declared that the people of the country were united to defend the democracy and democratic process in the country. The MQM, PPP, PML (Q) and other political forces that believed in democracy would strengthen democracy and raise their voices against undemocratic methods. He asked the leaders of the PPP, PML (Q) and ANP to come to Karachi and organize a rally for making Karachi a citadel of peace and tranquility.  

Mr Hussain said that the country was passing through the most critical juncture and hence PPP, PML (Q), MQM and ANP should try to resolve their differences through dialogues and understanding.  He said that there were internal and external conspiracies underway against the country and hence Pakistan, and democracy should be protected at all cost.  

Mr Hussain said that progress and prosperity should be brought in the country, and poverty should be eliminated. He appealed to President Zardari to attend to the public issues relating to energy sector and railways. People having impeccable integrity and merit should be appointed to improve the working of these institutions and making them profitable.

Mr Hussain asked the MQM workers and people at large to thank Almighty Allah for the huge success of the “Stability of Pakistan and Democracy” rally.

Deputy Convener of the Co-ordination Committee Dr Farooq Sattar said that the MQM always rose to the occasion whenever there was a conspiracy to undermine democracy and weakening the country. The rally at a short notice of 40 hours had demonstrated beyond doubt that the people of Pakistan had rejected all the designs against democracy.

Dr Sattar said that criticism and differences of opinion were the beauty of the democracy and democratic process but added that tolerance and forbearance were also part and parcel of the spirit of democracy. Terming the MQM Rally a referendum, he said that the people had rejected the uncivilized and un-parliamentary language used by the leaders of the PML (N).

Speaking on the occasion an emotionally charged PPP leader and provincial minister Agha Siraj Durrani said that no one would be able to separate the MQM and the PPP. He said that it was the same Muslim League that had formed concocted charges against the PPP leaders in the past. Saifur Rehman of the PML (N) had begged forgiveness of Mr Asif Zardari and said that the cases against the PPP leaders were formed at the behest of Nawaz Sharif. He thanked MQM leader Mr Altaf Hussain for holding an impressive rally against the abusive language used for the president.

PPP Leader and Provincial Leader Pir Mazharul Haque also thanked Mr Altaf Hussain and said that Mr Hussain had acquitted himself admirably as a true brother. He said that the MQM and its leader Altaf Hussain had a big heart and took notice of the derogatory language against the president before anyone else.

Earlier Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Provincial Home Minister Manzoor Wassan and PPP MNA Nabil Gabol visited Tibet Centre and inspected the security measures with Deputy Convener of the Co-ordination Committee Anis Ahmed Qaimkhani and other members of the committee.

PPP leaders Taj Haider, Sharmila Farooqi, N D Khan, Waqar Mehdi, Najmi Alam and PML (Q) leader Aleem Adil Shaikh were also present on the occasion.

A large number of religious scholars belonging to various schools of thoughts also attended the MQM Rally at Tibet Centre.