PROVIDING RIGHTS TO ALL THE CITIZENS IS THE KEY TO SECURITY AND SUSTENANCE OF PAKISTAN – ALTAF HUSSAIN

Toronto – 29 September 2002
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has stated that the poor citizens of the country do not need atom bombs and tanks – they are in need of food, water, education, health provisions, shelter and justice.  He appealed to the deprived people not to be misled by emotional slogans and continue the struggle for their rights and resolution of real public issues.  He was addressing the participants of the “Muttahida Convention 2002” in Toronto, Canada over the phone. This conversation was attended by MQM office bearers, workers, supporters, members of different communities and religious minorities.

Reflecting upon the political culture of Pakistan Mr Hussain said that after analysing the 55-year history of Pakistan it has become clear that whether it was military dictatorship or civilian government, only a few families of feudals (i.e. jageerdars and waderas) directly or indirectly rule the country.  The poor and middle-class people have not benefited instead their problems and difficulties continue to increase, whereas, a few big feudal families have become billionaires.  During different regimes these feudals made properties and assets abroad and increased their bank balances.  After 55-years, most of the villages, towns and remote areas of the country remained deprived of water, electricity, education and basic health facilities.  In some villages of the country, the residents have to store rainwater for drinking and other usage.  Citing the case of Thar Desert in Sindh Province he said that despite the inhabitants are longing for drinking water, the government is paying no attention, and the people of Thar are approaching the MQM for water.  Mr Hussain said that root cause of the problem lies with the medieval feudal system, which is prevailing in the country.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of every Pakistani, whether they are in Pakistan, Canada or anywhere else, to struggle for the eradication of this medieval system.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has emerged from the poor and middle-class.  If the poor and oppressed people of Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan do not like the MQM then they should search for educated leadership amongst themselves and struggle for the abolishment of the medieval feudal system and for improvement in the standard of life of the common man.  He further stated that the conspiracy to continue with the feudal system has already resulted in the division of the country, therefore, to secure the remainder of Pakistan it is necessary to abolish the antiquated feudal system and provide full provincial autonomy to all the provinces according to the spirit of 1940 Lahore Resolution.  The grievances of poor and oppressed citizens of the country must be resolved, non-developmental expenditure must be curtailed and sufficient amount be allocated in the budget for water, health and education.  He emphasised that the poor citizens of the country do not need atom bombs and tanks; instead they are in need of water, food, schools, hospitals, shelter and immediate and inexpensive justice.  He said that providing rights to all citizens is the key to the security and sustenance of Pakistan and to make it a stronger nation.  The possession of weapons could not save that nation until and unless the entire people are strong.  Commenting on the deplorable activities of religious extremists Mr Hussain said that after the 11 September incident, the attitude of the so-called religious and jihadi organisations did not create a good image of Islam and the Muslims in the eyes of the international community.  The places of worship of Christians and schools in Pakistan are being persistently attacked and innocent human beings murdered.  A few days ago, armed terrorists attacked the offices of a Christian human rights organisation and ruthlessly murdered seven innocent Christians.  He warned that perpetrators of armed attacks upon the places of worship of non-Muslims and their murders are in return inviting the citizens of America, Canada and European countries to counterattack the mosques in their respective countries. Such deplorable acts of the religious extremist elements are destroying the image of common Muslims, creating difficulties for them and are not serving Islamic cause.   He asked the participants whether in this day and age of information technology we should learn the modern knowledge and skills or adopt the path of religious extremism?  He said that we should not be hoodwinked by the emotional slogans, which tend to divert our attention from the real problems.

Mr Hussain paid tributes to the MQM office bearers and workers for organising the convention.  Mr Mohammad Younus, senior vice co-ordinator of MQM International Relations Division, and Dr Syed Ali, Central Organiser MQM Canada also addressed the participants.