Mr Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the armed attack with automatic weapons upon the motorcade of CorpS Commander Karachi Lt. General Ahsan Saleem Hayat

London – 10 June 2004
The MQM founder and leader Mr Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the armed attack by the religious extremists with automatic weapons upon the motorcade of Corps Commander Karachi Lt. General Ahsan Saleem Hayat.  Mr Hussain emphasised that this attack is the work of the same group of religious extremists terrorists who were involved in the attacks on General Parvez Musharraf.  These elements are also responsible for attacks upon foreign diplomats, Masjid Haidri, Imambargah Ali Raza, Rangers mobiles, terrorist attacks during the by-elections on 12 May 2004 and other bomb blasts in Karachi.  He expressed his heartfelt grief upon the sad demise of army and police personal and civilians and prayed for their salvation.  While expressing condolences to the families of the deceased he also prayed for the early recovery of those injured in this terrorist attack.

Mr Altaf Hussain while addressing the president General Parvez Musharraf, Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali and DG ISI General Ahsan asked them to take serious notice of accelerating terrorism in the country.  It should also be investigated as to who are supporting them with latest automatic weapons and explosives in such large quantity and how these terrorists are reaching Karachi safely with all these latest weapons from the far flung areas of Karachi and who are those powerful people helping them in this regard.  An investigation is also being conducted in the role of those religious parties who are supporting these religious extremists openly and opposing the operation against these religious extremists terrorists even demonstrating for them.  These religious parties are pushing the country towards Talibanisation.  Even today these religious extremists are also running the madaris, engaged in training youths towards Talibanisation and promoting religious extremism.

Mr Altaf Hussain pointed out the fact that these fanatics have even more modern weapons and explosive then the army and in huge quantities, and they have the ability to use them expertly and safely.  Obviously these religious fanatics have the patronage of forces within the country, that is why they are in a position to easily move with lethal weapons up and down the country.  As it is now abundantly clear that these religious extremists have full cooperation of ‘powers’ with in the country.  So, it is vital that along with those who carried out the attacks, the elements who are aiding and abetting the terrorists should also be apprehended and punished.

Mr Hussain stated that the constant systematic attacks on the president and the corps commander are a clear indication that there are organised groups within the forces and intelligence agencies who are patronising the religious extremist terrorists.  This is not a good omen for the country’s security.  All the people belonging to military and civil have a democratic right not to agree with his conclusions but they must not ignore the systematic organised actions of the perpetrators that points to the only direction.  He believed on his analysis in the light of these facts and continued systematic organised terrorist attacks.

The President Parvez Musharraf, Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali, ISI Chief General Ehsan and all civil and military in-charges must not delay in finding the culprits within defence and intelligence agencies to safeguard the solidarity and integrity of the country and the dignity of these institutions.  Mr Altaf Hussain said that if serious notice is not taken seriously of the situation then the lives of President General Parvez Musharraf and his close confidants are in real danger.  Today’s attack on corps commander is a clean proof of this fact.  Finally, Mr Altaf Hussain asked all the patriotic intellectuals, journalists, columnists and human rights activists to keep the public fully informed about the factual situation in the country.  He concluded his statement with a verse:

Uttho wagar na hashar no hoyega phir kabhi
Doro zamana chaal qayamat ki chal gaya