Altaf Hussain's address to MQM overseas US's 18th Convention
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Posted on: 8/26/2014
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Muttahida Quami Movement has been holding Annual convention since the formation of MQM Overseas wing. Today, we are holding 18th Annual Convention. I congratulate all the people who are present and not present here.
For the last few years I was not able to address you because of unforeseen circumstances, communication gap between the MQM’s International Secretariat London and office bearers of MQM USA Overseas unit. Currently, I have been working day and night because of the critical situation in the country. My work exhausts me and drains my power. I take a sleep for hours or two and wake up and start my work. I am thousands miles away from my country. However, as I a Pakistan it is my responsibility to steer my country out of the present crisis and put it on the right track. I will work beyond by capacity for the survival and security of the country.
I thought it has been a long time since I talked to my people in USA. I should find some time to talk to them. I prayed to Allah to give me power and courage to talk to my people in USA this time because they have assembled here in large numbers from far flung areas of the USA.
You people have been getting news about every moment of Pakistan through Pakistani print and electronic media. It is an information Technology and the Internet age. We have services like SMS, Facebook, twitter and other services. You will have been getting the latest news from Pakistan. I am playing my role which I can play. You might have been hearing about activities a little. I will like to tell you briefly.
Pakistan is passing through a difficult time. I will go into detail. If I started to give you detailed information, I will talk through the night. My address will not end.
The story starts when there was a cold war between American and Russia. Russia occupied Afghanistan. This war was not between two countries. In fact, it was a war between two super powers. Our military and civilian leaderships decided to support America in the war without deliberation. They did not think over the ramifications and consequences of the involvement in the cold war. They pushed the country into the war for short-term benefits in order to please Americans.
Pakistan become an epicentre of Mujahedeen activities. Mujahedeen’s came here from different countries. They set-up a network to train these people. Our scholars termed the war between Russia and America a war between Muslims and infidels. Tell honestly whether America is a Muslims country or a Christian country. Is Russia a Muslims country or a non-Muslims country? How did it become a war for Islam?
The military and civilian government took decisions to get money and arms from the USA. They only cared about their personal interests. They did not care about the country and its future.
People who are sitting here can give the answer that they non-Muslim country were fighting a war. Was it a Muslims war or a non-Muslim war? What would you say? You will say you are making this speech to American audience. What can I do? I will have to speak the truth. I cannot show expediency. You will say change your topic.
In short, we made this Afghan war a war between Islam and infidels and created jihadist in such a great numbers in every part of Pakistan. After the defeat of Russia when these Mujahedeen did not have anything to do. They turned to the Muslim soldiers who had trained and started killing them. They started attacking mosques, Imambargahs, shrines, churches and places of worship of minorities. They also destroyed girls’ schools. They have destroyed 70% girls’ schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.
As a Pakistani, I will do every for the security and survival of my country.
Women are forbidden to drive cars and teach in schools. They have forbidden women to work in hospitals. They have killed lady doctors, teachers, middle aged women and educated women. Some of them have been slaughtered.
I was the only who raised my voice. Who would listen to the counsel of sanity in this insane world? I warned them to stop feeding Taliban. They will capture the whole Pakistan. It was your brother Altaf’s voice. They hold me up to public ridicule and said that Altaf Hussain is spreading fear. He is trying to frighten people.
You can see that Sindh’s Urban areas especially Karachi which is its capital. Taliban are involved in kidnappings for ransom, bank robbery. They are killing people in mosques. Attacking defence installations. ISI’s offices, which is a country’s powerful institution. Slaughtering army’s officers and men. They slaughtered FC’s officers and soldiers. Army’s generals and Jawans. They attacked Navy and Air force’s installations. They even attacked GHQ. They attacked GHQ and captured it for few hours. Our country’s leadership and rulers did not show courage. They met with success where they confronted them with bravery. For example, they cleared 70% of Swat. However, operation was closed.
I don’t know what version of Islam Taliban are following. What type of the Quran do they read? In which Surah is it written that you can behead people who are praying? Behead Muslims soldiers. Shoot women if they come to market. Keep women in house like animals? What type of religion is that?
What type of religion Taliban is propagating?
MQM and Altaf Hussain have been raising voice against them for a since they emerged. I have said to armed forces in a number of times you initiate operation against them MQM’s millions of workers are with them.
By the Grace of Allah our forces are fighting Taliban under the command of a brave general. There are other brave officers in our armed forces, who have unanimously decided to start operation in North Waziristan. Thousands of officers and jawans have laid down their lives. They are fighting with Taliban who are illiterate – so-called Taliban who do things in the name of Islam which are not taught by Islam. Islam means peace, love. It teaches us to protect one another. Officers and jawans of armed forces are rendering sacrifices in their fight against Taliban.
With Allah’s help MQM was the only party which held gatherings and told women, elders and students who were Taliban and what are their goals. How much danger they pose to the country? By the Grace of Allah now army and people are on the same page. On the one hand the country is passing a difficult situation, on the other hand the Dollar’s exchange rate has gone up above Rs. 100. Our economy is a mess. Unemployment is rampant. The unemployment has forced people to sell their children. People who cannot bear hardship slaughter their children and then kill themselves. People are committing suicides.
MQM is busy in spreading message about its manifesto and goals. Taliban problem has diverted some of our energies to tackle them. We have lost MQM’s MNAs, MPAs and other office bearers in our fight against Taliban. We have lost 15 thousands people. MQM is the only party which has a separate graveyard for its martyrs.
My friends! Forgetting our suffering and sorrow we rushed to help victims of Kashmir’s Earthquake. We reached in the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and set up medical camps and provide food to victims of natural disaster and provide them medical help. Volunteers of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation and Sun Charity rush to help victims of flood. MQM’s workers and Sun Charity’s volunteers and rush to areas affected by drought. MQM’s workers helped the victims of 2005 Earthquake in Kashmir, which was the biggest disaster in our history. Did you any other religious and political parties help the victims for such long period?
It is MQM’s manifesto from the inception to establish the rule of poor, middle class, lower middle class and working class in the country. These groups make 98% of the population. MQM wants deliverance from the feudal lords, thieves, capitalists and waderas who make 2% of the population. Pakistan get out of the clutches these people.
Tell me honestly which party is trying to end the status quo. MQM is itself victim of repression because of this. Despite facing repression MQM has come to help people when the parties announced marches and provided them food, water and milk to starving kids and people. The government has put containers for security. Though it was government’s responsibility.
Remember the situation in Lahore where thousands of men, women, children and girls came face to face with the government. We feared a clash. Neither the government and nor the protestors were willing to budge from their stances. I begged the government and the protesters to initiate dialogue and save people’s lives. I have not spent three sleepless nights then a massacre would have occurred, which would have been a gruesome in the history of Pakistan.
Do Urdu speaking people live in Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Lahore? Altaf Hussain has proved by his actions that he is not only the friend of the oppressed Urdu speakers but also the oppressed Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis, and Balochis. He is their sympathizer and true lover.
My brothers, you know how much propaganda was done against MQM. They said I hate Punjabis. Conspiracies were hatched to cause ethnic riots in order to spread hate. We do not hate anyone. Our forefathers have not taught to hate people. If there was hatred in the hearts of our forefather, they would have made Pakistan in Delhi, Hyderabad Deccan. They have not had accepted the areas where Pakistan was made.
Is this the system of education in our country? There are schools in the country where students sit on the jute bags. These schools are without roofs, water supply and toilets. And there are schools where children come on air conditioned cars. Schools have air conditioned too. These schools follow British and American education systems.
We have one country but two different education system. Poor people’s children get education in Urdu medium schools and rich people, capitalist’s children get education in English medium education. Is this not fraud?
MQM wants to end this dual system of education from the country. It wants to bring in a system of education where children of poor and rich can get the same education. Poor people can keep their dignity and self-respect. MQM wants to end dynastic rule. We don’t want a democracy where son gets the seats of his father after his death. Could you tell me a religious and political party which is not controlled by a family?
MQM is the only party which is not controlled by a family. MQM and its leader whom you called your ‘Quaid’. None of my brothers, sisters are members of assemblies and senators. Altaf Hussain never contests election. He fields his workers in the elections and sends educated and workers in assemblies. That’s why he is their enemy. I remained in Pakistan for 35 years. There they conspired against me. Wherever I go they plot against me. You people know all this. Wherever I live I cannot bow down before tyranny and repression.
You people have collected donations despite difficult condition. Friends living in America have adopted 32 families of martyrs and send them $1200 to a family. They are doing a great job. I pray to Allah to increase their livelihood.
Friends! How many of you moved to America, UK and Canada after the June 19, 1992 army operation MQM?
You all moved to find a place of refuge.
If you think over honestly about the friend who moved to US and UK, how many of them have been able to get employment despite high education and working for the movement too.
In my opinion 25% of friends are fulfilling their responsibility who are giving an hour of their time to the party or a 10 dollar donation regularly. Unfortunately, 70% friends are not fulfilling their responsibility. Instead of strengthening the movement in the USA and remaining united under the banner of MQM workers and office bearers are divided into groups and pulling one another’s legs.
My dear friends!
Don’t forget the sacrifices rendered by the martyrs. You owe them. You should be thankful to Allah that your life is safe and you have found a place of refuge. Think about the people who have gone to grave. Think about the women who have been widowed. Think about children who have been orphaned. If we don’t take care of them who would then? Wives of these martyrs are doing dish washing to support their families. Did we fulfil our responsibility?
I have been saying repeatedly not to form groups. Support people who are loyal to the movement. You should not support and give money to them who are well-to-do and smart. Friends who used travel in buses and foot have been able to reach America because of Allah and struggling to earn their livelihood. They have place to take refuge. If 50% of you are united in US. It would give us strength and power. I am aggrieved at the situation.
I have been telling the government and the protestors to show flexibility and talk. I tell them to see the bad situation of the country. The army is busy in North Waziristan. They are fighting the toughest war of our history. You should press for the legitimate demands. Reform the election. Parliament is there to do that. Improve and fix the judicial system. The lower level of our judiciary is corrupt. Rampant corruption makes me sad. We should fix the corrupt system of the country. What will we get by fighting among ourselves?
There is no toilets in Islamabad. No arrangement for cleaning. Foul smell is spreading because of humane waste. Dirt and waste not only cases infection but also causes food decomposition. It also releases poisonous gases.
I have been making efforts for the resolution of political talks through dialogue. I would send a message to the world through workers based in USA that Pakistanis living in USA and other parts of the world send billions of rupees in the form of remittance. Their remittance strengthens our economy. You should respect Pakistan living abroad. Pakistan’s laws allows one to hold dual nationality. They should be allowed to cast their votes and take part in elections too.
My friends end favouritism and group. Follow the system merit. People should work with responsibility. The true office bearer is one who is not arrogant and deals with fellow workers with love and humility. They should not consider them their servants.
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4/26/2024 9:45:34 PM
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