MQM would contest elections from each constituency in the Punjab
Address to the joint meeting of the Central Executive Committee, Lahore Zonal Committee and the Co-ordination Committee in the Punjab House
The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has said that the MQM would take full part in the coming general elections and field candidate on each constituency in the Punjab. He said that the establishment of a new province is the long-standing demand of the people of southern Punjab and the MQM continue its struggle for the creation of southern Punjab province. He said this while addressing a joint meeting of the Central Executive Committee, Lahore Zonal Committee and the Co-ordination Committee at the Punjab House in Lahore.
The meeting discussed in detail about speeding up efforts for the southern Punjab province, improving the organizational structure in Punjab, selection of candidates for elections and other important issues.
It was unanimously decided in the meeting that the MQM would contest from each constituency in the Punjab. A resolution was also passed expressing grave concerns on the dwindling law and order situation in the Punjab, particularly Lahore.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Hussain said that the MQM has been facing problems ever since its inception. Conspiracies were hatched to stop the MQM when it planned to spread its message in the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country. Poisonous propaganda was done against the MQM in order to smear its image and generating a feeling of disenchantment in the hearts and minds of the people towards the MQM.
Mr Hussain said that the MQM wants to eliminate the corrupt political culture, archaic feudal system, and the culture of hereditary politics from the country. He said that the MQM wants to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity by ensuring national security.
Mr Hussain said it was a cruel joke with the nation that a few families had been ruling on the country. He said that the MQM wants to empower the educated and honest people belonging to the poor and middle classes by bringing an end to the hereditary politics.
Mr Hussain said that the MQM is the only political party that believes practical work and not mere slogan mongering. The MQM broke the tradition of contesting elections by dint of wealth. The MQM sent educated and qualified people from poor and middle classes to the elected house.
Mr Hussain said that he does not want the office of president or prime minister. He said that he only wants to make Pakistan a truly democratic country according to the vision of the Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
Mr Hussain said that the wealth can buy big palaces, but it cannot buy the love of the people. He urged on the CEC to restructure the organizational set-up in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by keeping in view the social values in these areas. He asked them to prepare a list of candidates from the Punjab.
Mr Hussain urged on the people to donate generously to the MQM for setting up its office in Islamabad. In the end, he expressed concerns on the illness of former test cricketer and member of the CEC Sarfaraz Nawaz and prayed for his well-being.