MINISTERS OF MUTTAHIDA QUAMI MOVEMENT WILL NOT RESIGN FROM MINISTRIES – CENTRAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE
STEPS TAKEN BY THE FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS ARE SATISFACTORY
CAMPAIGN AGAINST ANTI-HUMAN TRADITIONS WOULD CONTINUE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE PARLIAMENTS

Karachi-16 January 2004
The Central Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) after a detailed and careful deliberation in its emergency meeting expressed its satisfaction over the steps taken by the President, Federal and Provincial Governments to provide protection to Ms. Shaista Almani. Having the assurances given by the President, Federal and Provincial Governments in view the Central Co-ordination Committee has decided that the Ministers of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) will not resign from their ministerial portfolios.

The Central Co-ordination Committee noticed that after hoisting the issue of the Karo-Kari in Sindh by the MQM, the President of Pakistan General Parvez Musharraf took immediate notice and issued directives to provide protection not only to Ms. Shaista Almani but also to her family members. Similarly, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Governor Sindh province, Chief Minister Sindh and the Provincial Government took immediate steps, as a result not only Shaista Almani and her family received protection but some of the peoples threatening to kill her were also apprehended. It also came to the fore that all steps including legislation would be taken by the government to abolish the curse of Karo-Kari tradition and the MQM will fully assist in the abolishment of this anti-human custom.

The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee stated that the repulsive customs of the Karo-Kari and Honour Killings are the repugnant legacy of the Feudal System that is being practised for centuries but the time has now come for the enlightened and aware people of the society to join hands to end this inhuman tradition of Karo-Kari, Honour Killings and oppression against women.

The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee stated that Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has started the campaign and the solidarity demonstrated by the people of Sindh over this issue has manifested that the people of Sindh are now awakened and will support MQM in its campaign against Karo-Kari and oppression against women. They further added that Sindh, the land of Shah Latif Bhittai would soon be free from this curse and the MQM would continue its struggle against this inside and outside Parliaments. They appealed to the people of Sindh including intellectuals, journalists, writers, students and educated people from all spheres of life to remain united and support the MQM to abolish the corrupt feudal system, which promotes and encourages Karo-Kari and oppression against women. They assured the Government of their full co-operation in assisting the Government concerning rehabilitation and protection to Shaista Almani and her family members. They further assured that if anyone dares to commit excesses again against any daughter of Sindh then the MQM under the leadership of Mr Altaf Hussain would again take practical steps for apprehending those hands that extend towards the daughters of Sindh.

MQM to quit govt over Shaista, say party sources The Daily Times
The Shaista Almani affair took a significant political turn on Wednesday with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement reportedly threatening to withdraw from the Sindh government if it fails to provide security to her. Sources in the MQM said that in its “ultimatum,” the party had also demanded that the government take action to stop those believed to be threatening Ms Almani’s life. According to other reports, the ultimatum is as short as 48 hours...Complete Story