ECONOMY OF PAKISTAN, ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND
MILITARY POWER IS DEPENDENT ON SINDH
ALTAF HUSSAIN

  London – 16 April 2004

  MQM Founder Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has stated that economy of Pakistan, its nuclear program and military power is dependent on Sindh, which contributes more than 70 percent in the national exchequer.  Without Sindh’s contribution, the system in Pakistan will not survive even for a week.  He was addressing a joint workers meeting organised in various cities of Sindh including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Sanghar, Thatta, Badin, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Khairpur, Larkana, Naushero Feroze, Dadu and Ghotki. 

Mr Hussain said that Sindh is the only province of Pakistan where people from all over the country come searching for employment, peace and better life.  The Sindh “Dharti” (Land of Sindh) provides sanctuary to all irrespective of their colour, creed, language and even religion. It is for this reason that a large number of people belonging to Punjab, NWFP, Balochistan and Kashmiri and Seraiki speaking people are settled in Sindh, which cannot be witnessed in any other province. He said that certain elements allegedly accuse the people of Sindh of hating and discriminating people of other provinces. If the people of Sindh had hated or discriminated against people of other provinces then they would not have allowed them to settle in Sindh. He said that Sindh feeds Pakistan but itself starves.   He said that economy of Pakistan, its nuclear program and military power is dependent on Sindh, which contributes more than 70 percent in the national exchequer.  Without Sindh’s contribution, the system in Pakistan will not survive even for a week. He said that those who spread hatred against Sindh and issue negative statements are in fact, ungrateful.

Mr Hussain demanded that all anti-Sindh projects must be stopped forthwith, Sindh be provided its legitimate share in the NFC Award and its unanimous resolution adopted by the Sindh Assembly on Thal Canal and Kalabagh Dam must be honoured. Mr Hussain said that permanent citizens of Sindh must be employed in all the institutions, factories, industries and corporations in Sindh. He said that it is unjust to employ people from other provinces while ignoring the permanent citizens of Sindh. Similarly, local residents must be employed in Sindh Police, Rangers and army. Mr Hussain said that we would like to see a strong Pakistan, however, it is our right to peacefully struggle for our rights, which is also provided by the United Nations Charter. If we are unable to provide rights to the province feeding the entire country then how can we demand rights for Kashmiris, Palestinians and others? The philosophy of realism and practicalism is no longer confined to Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities but it has now spread all over the province.  While praising the Sindhi-speaking workers for spreading the Movement’s message throughout Sindh Mr Hussain said that the results of the recent by-elections of local bodies stand witness to their efforts.  While saluting their efforts, Mr Hussain said, “you have proved to be true sons of Sindh”.  Mr Hussain paying tributes to party workers said that several feudals, waderas and jaagirdars attacked MQM’s polling camps, tortured our polling agents and workers, however, our workers remained determined. He reiterated that we are not against feudals, jaagirdars or any wadera, however, we are against the oppressive and medieval feudal system.  And we would like to inform them that we fear no one except the Almighty Allah.  He said that the resolute, determined and ideological MQM worker are not afraid of the oppressive acts of anti-Sindh forces and their agents, i.e. waderas.  In the end he assured that our unity cannot be harmed and we will continue to spread the message of love and peace of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (RH) and will continue to do so till we get the rights for the Sindh Province.