ROUND
TABLE CONFERENCE TO BE CONVENED FOR THE RESOLUTION OF KASHMIR ISSUE – ALTAF
HUSSAIN
Mr Hussain began his address
by quoting the Holy Quran Surah Al-Asr (The Declining Day)
- “In the name of Allah, the
Compassionate, the Merciful. By the declining day,:
Lo! man is a state of loss,: Save those who believe and do good
works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.”
Referring to the criticism
by certain columnist and so-called religious scholars on his visit to India and
his statement during the international conference organized by the Hindustan
Times that the division of subcontinent was a mistake, he said that he welcomed
constructive criticism but no one has the right to declare him a traitor or non
Muslim. However, it is ironic that baseless allegations are being leveled
against him. Accepting that he said that the division of subcontinent was a
mistake but he said that he had also stated that 57 years have gone by since the
division and now Pakistan and India are sovereign and independent countries,
therefore, they must acknowledge and accept each others existence and coexist
peacefully. He said that the so-called intellectuals now state that it was known
beforehand that Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP and East Bengal will form
Pakistan. If the two nation theory was formed keeping in view the five provinces
then who from the present day Pakistan was amongst those who created Pakistan
and propounded the two nation theory. The struggle for Pakistan continued in the
Muslim Minority Provinces, whereas, the Province of Punjab voted in favour of
Unionist Party and rejected the two nation theory. Today Punjab is the biggest
champion of two nation theory. He challenged all the intellectuals for an open
debate on the issue and if they are able to convince him then he will accept his
defeat. He said that the two nation theory was negated by Jinnah himself when he
was leaving Delhi for Karachi and stated that now Pakistan is a reality and the
Muslims in India must remain faithful to India. If the Muslims were to coexist
with Hindus and when minority Muslims could have lived with majority Hindus then
why could the majority of Muslims not coexist with minority Hindus? And today
the Muslims of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh would have been living together
and their power would not have been divided. With the closure of borders in 1953
for the Muslims of India – the two nation theory was negated.
The Awami League emerged as
the majority party after the 1970 General Elections and according to democratic
norms they should have been offered to form the Government but Late Z A Bhutto
in collusion with Army Generals decided not to hand over the power to Awami
League and also threatened to break the legs of the parliamentarians if they
were to go to Dhaka. Were the Bengalis “Hindus”, “Christians” or
non-Muslims? The two nation theory was once again negated – not by Altaf
Hussain but by Z A Bhutto, the Army Generals and the then Military Government.
Referring to his suggestions
on LoC that it should be accepted as a temporary border for the commencement of
meaningful negotiations, Mr Hussain said that the foreign office spokesperson
issued rebuttals. For presenting alternative solution to the Kashmir Issue, he
demanded that a round table conference should be convened comprising of all the
political and religious parties. LoC is currently considered as a “border”
between India and Pakistan and violation of this “line” can result in war
– but war is not the solution. He
repeated what he stated in India that the resolution to Kashmir Issue will never
be accepted without the participation and aspirations of the Kashmiris.
Mr Hussain said that no one
objects when the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab visits Pakistan and comments
that East and West Punjab is one and also when Chief of Minister of Pakistani
Punjab visits India via Wahgah Border to East Punjab then he is escorted to the
Golden Temple and presented with the sword. However, if Altaf Hussain would have
visited a Hindu Temple then all hell would have been let loose. Mr Hussain said
that we have no objection on this but similarly the people of Sindh should also
have the right to cross the borders. He
said that Ghaffar Khan and Wali Khan were declared as traitors for visiting
India, Altaf Hussain is declared traitor when he visits India but when the Chief
Minister of Punjab visits East Indian Punjab then he is declared a patriot. He
strongly condemned and rejected any conspiracy of Greater Punjab and declared
that we will never allow the disintegration of Pakistan and creation of Greater
Punjab. Friendship must not be limited from Punjab to Punjab only but must be
spread to Sindh and all other provinces of Pakistan. He appealed to the Chief
Minister of Sindh that like the Chief Minister of Punjab, he should also visit
India. He warned that if the Khokhrapar Border is not opened soon then the
people of Sindh along with the people of India will open the border on their
own. He also demanded that Sindh must be provided its due share in the NFC Award
according to its contribution in the national exchequer.
Addressing the people of
Pakistan and the political and religious parties of the country Mr Hussain said
that internationally the strategic position has changed. Today, in the South
Asia Region, the USA and the international community is more inclined toward
India then Pakistan. Mr Hussain said that it is the need of time that the
country must stand united. On behalf of the Muttahida Quami Movement, Mr Hussain
offered sincere apologies to the religious and political parties if their
sentiments have been hurt by any statement. He said that he is making all his
efforts to save Pakistan. He said that a principle should be adopted not to
declare each other as traitor. He said that he has taken the first step by
openly apologizing and invite other parties to follow. We are all Pakistanis and
equal citizens. He also suggested
for a round table conference of all the political and religious parties to
establish a code of ethics not to declare each other infidels or traitors. He
prayed for the success of efforts towards establishing peace and friendship
between India and Pakistan and also offered for any sacrifice for this purpose.
Mr Hussain also appealed to
the Members of Sindh Provincial Assembly to table a resolution that the
permanent settlers of Sindh will be given priority in employment in new
industries and factories. He reiterated that until his last breath he will
continue to struggle for the rights of Sindh Province along with the rights of
all the poor and deprived citizens of Pakistan. He advised the participants to
take keen interest in education, respect elders, teachers and ladies. He said
that MQM is proud for upholding the rights and respect to women and will
continue to struggle for their rights.
In the end Mr Hussain paid
tributes to the MQM leaders and workers for organizing such a successful and
historic public rally.