RECORDING OF THIS THREATENING PHONE CALL SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC SO THAT THE NATION CAN DECIDE BETWEEN THE RIGHT AND WRONG -- ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 23 September 2006

Commenting on the American rebuttal of threatening Pakistan with bombing as claimed by President Musharraf, MQM Founder & Leader Mr. Altaf Hussain has advised that as President Musharraf himself did not receive the phone call and was informed of the conversation by a government agency, therefore, the recording of this threatening phone call should be made public so that the nation can decide between the right and wrong. He expressed these views on Friday evening in a local hall in London on the occasion of the celebration of his 53^rd birthday. The gathering was attended by MQM workers and office bearers from London, Birmingham, Manchester, other cities of Great Britain, America, Belgium, South Africa and Pakistan. Also present on the occasion were the Members of MQM Coordination Committee from Pakistan, Ministers, Members of Assemblies, Town Nazims and office bearers of various MQM wings. On President Musharraf’s recent visit to America, Mr. Hussain said that this is the first time that President Musharraf has made this disclosure that after the 9/11 incident, the talks were not only limited to “either with us or against us” but in fact, the government agencies informed him of the message from America that if he will not support America in war against terrorism then Pakistan will be bombarded and the entire nation will be pushed back to the stone age.  Mr. Hussain said that America has issued a clarification on President Musharraf’s statement that although we delivered a strong message, however, we never claimed to bombard Pakistan or destroy the whole nation. Mr. Hussain said that President Musharraf himself did not receive this threatening phone call from America – this information was forwarded to him via the government agency. The issue of information provided by the agency being right or wrong must be resolved because the President while making this speech was representing the entire nation and country. He said that when phone calls of common people are tapped then how is it possible the American phone call was not recorded? Therefore, the recording of the said phone call must be presented to the nation to decide between right and wrong.

Mr. Hussain said that MQM is the only party of Pakistan that despite being a coalition partner in the Government took a courageous stand on Hudood Ordinance in support of Women Rights, which even the big opposition parties failed to take. He said that the Muslim League (Q) along with the “political mullahs” made amendments in the Women Rights Bill passed by the National Assembly Select Committee, which are totally against Islam and teachings of the Holy Quran. He reiterated in clear words, “we will never accept such amendments made on the wish of a few so-called mullahs to please them, sending women to prison where they are further victimized.” He said that MQM wants equal rights for women. MQM wants equal rights for religious minorities and no discrimination on the basis of religion. Commenting on the regional and international scenario Mr Hussain said Pakistan is faced with dangers –and on the basis of self-help we should make the country strong because those who cannot help themselves –then no one comes to their aid. He said that MQM is the only representative party of poor and middleclass that can save Pakistan in the present scenario. He said that jaagirdars and waderas are looting the country for 59 years, therefore, to rid the country from medieval feudal system and to establish the rule of poor and middleclass –people of Pakistan must support the MQM.