ALL THE BRAVE AND UPRIGHT PEOPLE OF SINDH REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND OBSERVE PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST THE ATROCITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT -- ALTAF HUSSAIN

London
2 September 1999

MQM Founder Leader Mr. Altaf Hussain has made an impassioned appeal to all the brave and upright people of the province of Sindh, to remain in their homes and observe peaceful protest against the atrocities of the Government. Mr. Hussain said that the Nawaz Sharif Government has transformed into a totalitarian regime and has made Sindh, the peaceful land of Shah Lateef, as its colony. He said that the Federal Government has completely taken over the resources, revenue and administration of the province and the province of Sindh is now being victimised at all levels. Therefore, it is now the responsibility of the brave and upright citizens of Sindh, to liberate the land of Sindh from the illegal occupation of the Federal Government and get united to struggle for the provincial autonomy of the Sindh province. Mr. Hussain said that to sabotage the call of peaceful strike on 4 September and to carry out bloodshed of the peaceful people of Sindh, the Government of Nawaz Sharif has summoned extra police force and has deployed heavy contingents of other security agencies of the country, in the province.

Mr. Altaf Hussain appealed to all the mothers, sisters, elders, students, teachers, professors, intellectuals, writers, lawyers, poets, businessmen, industrialists, transporters, drivers of rickshaws and taxis, bus owners, mini bus owners, shopkeepers, labour and farmers in particular and people from all walks of life in general to get united and being the brave and upright citizens of Sindh province, remain in their homes on 4 September, to show the entire world this new way of peaceful protest. Mr. Hussain said that this unique and peaceful way to protest against the illegal occupation of Sindh by the Nawaz Sharif Government would certainly draw the attention of the international community and the human rights organisations throughout the world. Mr. Hussain also appealed to the citizens of Sindh province to store the necessary items including foodstuff and medicine of personal use by 3 September to avoid any difficulty on 4 September. In the end Mr. Hussain also appealed to all the political and religious parties in Sindh, all the righteous Punjabis, Pakhtoons, Baloch, Sindhis, Mohajirs, Seraikis and Kashmiri people to get united, co-operate and support the peaceful strike on 4 September.