Altaf Hussain's address to MQM's 18th US Convention
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Posted on: 8/29/2014
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Respectable guests, MQM Organising Committee of the 18th overseas annual convention at Washington DC, members of MQF, CMC, Media, Gahwarah-e-Adab, Pakistan Club, Political Action Committee, Sun Charity, Research & Development Forum, ladies, gentleman, and the children present السلام عليكم.
In addition to the central organising committee, the members and office bearers from 23 cities namely Dallas, Connecticut, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore, Austin, Atlanta, New Jersey, Miami, LA, Houston, Hawaii, Detroit, Philadelphia, Florida, Oregon, New York, Oklahoma, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Louis, Washington DC, South Carolina are present here.
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 as well as those who are not present.
For the last few years I was not able to address you because of unforeseen circumstances, lack of coordination 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 sleep for an hour or two and wake up and start my work. I am thousands miles away from my country. However, as a Pakistani it is my responsibility to steer my country out of the present crisis and put it on the right track. I will work beyond my 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 who 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 would have been getting the latest news from Pakistan. In these circumstances, I myself am playing the role as per my capacity. I believe that more or less you must be aware of this role. Even then I would like you to know briefly.
Pakistan is passing through a difficult time. I would not mention many things in detail. If I start to giving you detailed information, I will talk all through the night and 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 only between two countries. But 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 for the appeasement of America.
Pakistan became an epicentre of Mujahedeen activities. Mujahedeen’s came here from different countries. They set-up a network to train these people in the name of Islam. Our scholars termed the war between Russia and America a war between Muslims and infidels. Tell me honestly whether America is a Muslim country or a Christian country? Is Russia a Muslim country or a non-Muslim 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.
All those present here could have at least answered that two non-Muslim countries were fighting a war. Was it a Muslim war or a non-Muslim war? What would you say to this? I know this address is taking place in American, but what can I do? I will have to speak the truth. I cannot show expediency. If you say so shall I change the 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, that after the defeat of Russia when these Mujahedeen had nothing 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 through bombing.
Women were 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.
All over Pakistan, I was the only voice, who warned to stop feeding the Taliban, and their advancements otherwise they will capture the whole of Pakistan. But nobody paid heed to Altaf Hussain's warnings. They made fun of me, ridiculed me by saying that Altaf Hussain 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 during prayers, attacking defence installations. ISI’s offices, which are country’s powerful institutions. Slaughtering army officers and men. They slaughtered FC officers and soldiers. Army 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 at that time but where ever they confronted them with bravery they met with success and cleared 70% of Swat and other areas. But the operation was again ended.
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 and behead Muslim soldiers? Shoot women if they come to market. Keep women in house like animals? What type of religion Taliban is propagating?
MQM and Altaf Hussain have been raising voice against them from day one. I have said to armed forces in a number of times to 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 is not the teaching of 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.
By the grace of God MQM is the only party which held gatherings without fear of consequences told women, elders and students who the Taliban are and what are their goals? How much danger they pose to the country? By the Grace of Allah today army and people are on the same page. On 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 in 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. During this struggle MQM has lost more than 15 thousand workers including MNAs, MPAs and other office bearers. MQM is the only party in Pakistan which has a separate graveyard for its martyrs.
My dear fellows! Forgetting our sufferings and sorrows 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. Tell me honestly that have you seen any political or religious party helping the victims of the earthquake for such a long time?
Since inception it is MQM’s manifesto to establish the rule of 98% poor, middle class, lower middle class and working class and the educated in the country and to get rid of the rule of 2% feudal lords, thieves and capitalists.
Tell me honestly which party is trying to end the status quo practically? MQM is itself victim of repression because of this. Despite facing repressions only MQM has come to help people when two parties announced marches and sit-ins, provided them with food, water and milk to starving kids and people. The government has put containers for security, which was their responsibility and they fulfilled it.
The woman and children present at the sit-in were asking for food, milk, water, as they were thirsty and hungry. Which party took the lead to provide them with food, water, milk and medicines in these difficult times? The situation had arrived 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. When they were leaving Lahore, had I not spent three sleepless nights then a massacre would have occurred, which would have been 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 MQM hated Punjabis and Pakhtuns, conspiracies were hatched to cause ethnic riots in order to spread hatred. We do not hate anyone. Neither our forefathers have taught to hate people. If there was hatred in the hearts of our forefather, they would have made Pakistan in Delhi, Agra or Hyderabad Deccan. They would not have had accepted the areas where Pakistan is made.
What irony is this that there are schools in the country where students sit on the jute bags. These schools are without roofs, water supply and toilets. While the other type are where children come in air conditioned cars, their schools are air conditioned too following the British and American education system.
Country is one, 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?
The MQM wants to end the dual system of education. It wants to establish a system of education in which the rich and the poor could get the same education. It wants to usher in an order in which the poor have the same dignity of life as the rich. It wants to eliminate the culture of politics of dynasties from the country. The MQM does not want a so-called democratic order in which a son inherits power after his father and political power remains concentrated in the hands of family members such as grandsons, granddaughters, nephews and nieces.
Take a look at all the political and religious parties of Pakistan and you will not find a single political party or religious party in which the entire families have not come into power and enjoyed privileges of being in government. The MQM is the only political party and its leader, whom you people call as the Quaid, is the only leader, none of whose brothers and sisters have become MNAs and Senators. He is the only leader who promotes party workers and sends them in assemblies instead of contesting elections himself. This is the only reason for which Altaf Hussain is denigrated and reviled.
But I cannot change my nature. I had been in the country for 35 years and conspiracies were hatched against me there. What happened afterwards is also in your knowledge and I don’t want to go into details. Wherever in the world I be, I would willingly lay down my life but I would not bow down my head before injustice and tyranny.
My dear brothers, you have also collected donations for the party in difficult times. So far different workers across the USA have taken responsibility of 32 families of the martyred MQM workers who receive 1200 dollars per family every month. May Allah Bless the means of income of those who are doing this noble work.
When the Army Operation started against the MQM in 1992, some workers went to UK, some went to USA and some settled in Canada. The MQM workers went wherever they could find refuge. Now think carefully. How many of the workers, who went abroad particularly the USA, whether for higher education, or for seeking job or by force of circumstances, are working for the party besides pursuing their career.
In my view nearly 25 to 30 percent workers fall in the category who are working for the party and regularly contribute financially whether it be 10 dollars. But the remaining 70 percent are not fulfilling their responsibilities. Instead of strengthening the movement in the USA and getting united under one flag, many workers are busy in making groups and leg-pulling on the basis of personal likes and dislikes.
Do not forget the blood of the martyrs for the sake of God. The blood of the martyrs is a debt on your shoulders. You should thank God that your life was saved but what about those who died, whose children became orphans and whose women became widows. Who will look after them if not you? There are children who do not even have slippers for their feet and their mothers have to do menial jobs such as dish washing in homes for supporting the family. We should put this question to our conscience if we fulfilled our responsibilities or not.
I have said on several occasions while talking to the workers and office-bearers in USA to desist from making groups and taking decisions on the basis of personal likes and dislikes. If you see that someone is discharging his responsibilities with honesty, it should be your duty to support them. You must not get influenced by money and not side with those who are active in making groups.
My dear workers, if you are only 50 across the USA but you are honest and dedicated then you can be a big source of strength. My heart bleeds at the turn of events taking place in the country. I have talked on the current situation of the country even today. I say to the government and those who are carrying out sit-ins in Islamabad to show flexibility and hold meaningful dialogues for resolving issues. The government should concede something and the protestors should give up some of their demands to reach a conclusion.
Look at the situation in the country. The army is deployed in North Waziristan and the most difficult war in the history of the world is being fought there. This time calls for unity. But they must press for their legitimate demands. The Election Commission should be reformed. The parliament is functioning. The judiciary should be put on right track. The corruption in our lower tier of judiciary is highly unfortunate. The system of the country should be changed. There is no point in fighting among ourselves.
There are no toilets in Islamabad (at the place of sit-ins) and there are no arrangements for cleanliness which had led to the spread of foul smell everywhere. Infections do not occur because of bacteria or virus only. Decomposition of food and common waste give rise to poisonous gases.I am trying to get the issues resolved by talks. May Allah give wisdom to both the government and the protestors so that the issues could be resolved by dialogues instead of heading towards confrontations!
Pakistani diaspora around the world sends remittances worth billions of dollars which is a mainstay of the economy of the country. The Pakistani law gives right of dual citizenship but they should not only get the right of voting in elections but also the right to contest elections.
You should now follow the path of merit instead of going after personal likes and dislikes. He who works with dedication should be given the responsibility and a responsible person is one who will be free from vanity and conceit. Those who are burdened with responsibility should show affection for the workers instead of demeaning them as servants.
You know that this is the age of IT. Everyone carries a mobile in his hands. Even the mobiles have given way to iPads. If anything happens now, you can easily spread it in the media.
Now there will be a Pakistan in which corruption and dishonesty will cease to exist. There will not be a dual system of education and no double standards in hospitals. Medicines will be available in government hospitals. Everyone should have equal rights.
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4/26/2024 7:36:56 AM
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