London – 10 January 2001
Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader
of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), has thanked all those Sindhi journalists and
columnists who participated in the sitting over the affairs of Sindh
province. He also thanked those editors
and journalists who reported the telephonic address in its true spirit without
distorting the facts. He also thanked
Sindhi brothers in general and particularly those Sindhi students who have
telephoned the International Secretariat in London and also at Nine Zero
Karachi and Zonal Office in Hyderabad to assure their cooperation in
future. Mr Hussain said that he is
grateful to Sindhi intellectuals and leaders who have applauded his
thoughts. Mr Hussain said, “I have no
hard feelings towards those Sindhi leaders who criticised and derided the
cooperation between Sindhi speaking Sindhis and Urdu speaking Sindhis and I can
only pray for the benevolent of those who doubt my sincerity.” He appealed to the Sindhi brothers not to be
disheartened and confused by these negative statements. The people and all the leaders including
those who have political differences with me do acknowledge that Altaf Hussain
will never trade his conscience nor will he bargain upon the rights of the
common man. They are fully aware that
Altaf Hussain does not promise utopia but believes in peaceful struggle for the
people’s rights with courage and fortitude. While addressing the people of
Sindh, particularly students, Mr Hussain declared that whatever capabilities
God has bestowed upon me, I once again offer unconditionally for the rights of
the people of Sindh. I have no desire
to become the President, Prime Minister or even the Chief Minister of Sindh, he
declared. He further stated that it is
common knowledge that since 1987 MQM has participated in the local bodies
elections and general elections; and it is acknowledged worldwide as the third
largest party of the country and the second largest of the province of
Sindh. However, neither I nor any
member of my family ever participated in the elections. I have never been interested in these
positions.
Mr Hussain said, “I am a faqeer,
malang who does not seek personal or family interests but think and
struggle for the common man, and declared that I feel proud to be a servant of
Sindh and not its master. I shall
continue to struggle for usurped rights of Sindh.” Finally Mr Hussain appealed to Sindhi people, particularly the
students, to cooperate and join the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and rid
Sindh of servitude by making Sindh an autonomous province. He asked the Sindhi students and people who
wish to send their suggestions or pass their opinion should contact me through
email on [email protected], through fax on 00442089059527 or over the phone on
004208358900.