MEETING AT MQM INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT, LONDON
ON 22 DECEMBER 2005, THURSDAY

Mr. Altaf Hussain discussing Balochistan and Kalabagh Dam issues with the
members of the MQM Co-ordination Committee.

ALTAF HUSSAIN SUGGESTS FEDERAL CABINET SHOULD HEAR BALOCH LEADERS ON SITUATION IN THEIR PROVINCE AND SEEK A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE WORSENING PROBLEM

KARACHI ( DEC 22, 2005)----- MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain has demanded from President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to let the Baloch leaders present their viewpoints before the federal cabinet so that a cooler approach, based on negotiations, is adopted on the worsening Balochistan situation.
According to an announcement here, he made these remarks at a Coordination Committee meeting in party’s international secretariat of London in which committee convenor Dr Imran Farooq was also present.
The meeting deliberated on Kalabagh Dam and Balochistan situation. Addressing the session Mr Hussain reminded the nation that the country was passing through a critical stage. While on the one side, was the havoc caused by the October earthquake, on the other we have to take into account the realities on the ground at regional and geographic levels.
The question needing a solution is whether Pakistan’s relationship with neighbours like Afghanistan, Iran, India and China was positive, average or of hostility. The problem could be dealt only through national solidarity and cohesion. Without that it will be difficult for Islamabad to deal with the situation effectively. It was therefore imperative that elected representatives from smaller provinces, including Balochistan should be consulted, and a political solution to the worsening crisis be sought in their light of the views obtained. Such an approach will be in vital national interest, said the MQM leader.
Dwelling on Sindh situation, he said that reservations and apprehensions being openly expressed in on the burning issue of Kalabagh dam by the people and elected representatives of the southern province be removed, and the dam should not be built without the approval of the people of smaller provinces.