INDIA AND PAKISTAN SHOULD DECIDE TO RESOLVE THEIR BILATERAL ISSUES THROUGH DIALOGUE NOT WAR – ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 15 June 2003
India and Pakistan should decide to resolve their bilateral issues and conflicts,  through dialogue and not war.  Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, stated this during his address on the occasion of APMSO Silver Jubilee celebrations in London organised by the MQM UK Unit.  He said that the European countries have fought two World Wars but have now learnt their lesson and decided to resolve all their differences through dialogue and negotiations, today they stand united in the form of European Union.  However, through emotional slogans we are taught to hate and to war.  For the past 56 years, mullahs, who made money out of politics, have hoodwinked the public through emotional slogans.  They made money in the name of Kashmir and Afghanistan and under the pretext of jihad hurled the children of others for massacres but never offered their own services.  When these religious leaders were raising emotional slogans on Iraq Issue then MQM dispatched three tickets to Maulana Noorani, Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Maulana Fazlur Rehman with a view that they should practice what they preach and must go to Iraq and form a human shield.  They responded that they do not go themselves but persuade others for jihad.  Such elements are damaging the image of Islam.  Mr Hussain said that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal were against theocracy and mullahism.  They were liberal and open-minded leaders but the mullahs hijacked these personalities and are using their names for ulterior motives. 

Mr Hussain said that Allah Almighty in the very first revelation guides human beings to “Iqra”, which does not only means to read but to think, reflect, understand and learn.  The developed nations who grasped the true meanings of this revelation are leading the world today.  We on the other hand have closed all doors leading to thinking, learning and reflecting and have become the victims of emotional slogans of the mullahs.  MQM does not believe in emotional slogans, it believes in realism and practicalism. 

Mr Hussain said that Pakistan is undergoing the most sensitive phase of its history.  If we analyse Pakistan’s geopolitical situation then we would realise that we are all alone in South Asia region.  It is a bitter reality that no one would come forward to save Pakistan if it faces any crisis in the near future and we have witnessed this in 1971.  We should, therefore, do away with emotional slogans and accept the realities.  All the intellectuals and political leaders should sit together and draw out a line of action.  Country cannot be rescued without developing national integrity and this could not be achieved merely through slogans.  Smaller provinces must be given their rights and if the Federation is not prepared to give provinces their due rights and full provincial autonomy then the very existence of Federation is in danger.  In 1971, the Bengalis were also deprived of their rights and the result was the disintegration of Pakistan.

Mr Hussain said that Sindh Assembly unanimously rejected the Thal Canal Project but the resolution of the representatives of Sindh Province was bulldozed and the work on Thal Canal Project commenced without giving due consideration to the aspirations and reservations of the people of Sindh.  Such acts are not conducive to  the concept of national unity and pluralism.  Mr Hussain demanded that work on Thal Canal Project must stop immediately.  A round table conference of intellectuals, experts and representatives of political parties must be convened to thrash out the issue.

Mr Hussain said that it is not the time to fight with each other.  National integrity demands that every person must be provided with equal rights and equitous  treatment.  He offered his services for developing a sense of unity and integration amongst all units of the country.

Mr Hussain said that for 56 years we have been sanctioning a huge portion of our national budget on defence because we don’t have friendly relations with India, whereas, millions of citizens are facing starvation, unemployment and poverty.  We should accept facts and reality, May that be bitter.  India and Pakistan must now decide that they would never go to war and resolve all issues, including Kashmir, through meaningful dialogue and negotiations.  It is in the interest of both the countries to think on accepting the Line of Control as the solution to Kashmir Issue.  He demanded people at the helm of affairs to take immediate steps for opening the Khokhrapar Border with India because millions of people from Sindh have to travel long distance through Wahga to meet their relatives in India.

Mr Altaf Hussain extended his heartiest felicitations to the participants on the occasion of Silver Jubilee of APMSO.  He said that the 25 years of struggle is filled with sacrifices, tears and difficult times.  During this period thousands of our workers have been extra-judicially murdered but we are determined on the mission of righteousness.  Mr Altaf Hussain paid tribute to the office bearers and workers of MQM UK Unit for organising a successful program.