BEFORE ANY POSSIBLE PRESSURE FROM SUPER POWERS; PAKISTAN AND INDIA SHOULD
WORK TOWARDS REGIONAL PEACE, DEVELOP BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND WORK FOR
THE PROSPERITY OF THEIR CITIZENS – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 15^th April 2010:

While commenting on a possible pressure from super powers on Pakistan and India for an end to nuclear proliferation, the MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain has warned both Pakistan and India should work towards regional peace, develop better understanding and work for the prosperity of their citizens. He stated this while delivering a lecture at the MQM International Secretariat on the subject, “Reduction in Atomic Weapons for the Sustenance of Humanity”.  Referring to the international conference on nuclear weapons in Washington, Mr Hussain said that world is working towards reduction in nuclear weapons, the United States and Russia has reached an agreement and now both the super powers will use their influence in the Washington conference to engage other European and Asian countries to enter this agreement.

Mr Hussain said that at present 20 countries possess nuclear weapons. A while ago 7 countries were official nuclear powers and after Pakistan and India became nuclear powers the total today stands at 9. Mr Hussain said that even if the international powers impress upon Pakistan and India to reduce their nuclear weapons and shut down their nuclear research programs, both the countries will refuse as no country will be prepared to compromise its security and sustenance. Therefore, the international powers must take this into consideration and keep in view the security and existence of the two countries. If we look at the regional situation then we see that Pakistan at the moment does not enjoy friendly relations with its neighbouring countries, i.e. India, Afghanistan and Iran; whereas, even with China the relationship today is not as friendly as in the past. India and Pakistan consider each other as adversaries; however, they should now revisit their tense relationship and commence honourable and meaningful dialogue.

They should learn from the European Union and promote friendly and cordial relationship instead of hatred, enmity and warmongering. They should move towards becoming allies rather than enemies. War is not the solution – Pakistan and India has fought many wars resulting in destruction. Fighting more wars will only result in disasters, loss of innocent lives and damage to the countries, its economy and the people; therefore, we must adopt the path of meaningful and constructive dialogues. The intelligent nations of the world keep an eye on the rise and fall of other nations and learn from the history and formulate their policies accordingly. Realism demands that the leadership of both the countries, including political and religious leaders, and make all efforts to promote friendly relationship instead of enmity and hostility.