MQM IS THE ONLY PARTY THAT HAS THE KEY FOR THE COUNTRY'S SURVIVAL - ALTAF HUSSAIN

London – 18 March 2004
The MQM leader Mr. Altaf Hussain said that the key to country’s survival lies in the MQM politics. While addressing thousands of workers, intellectuals, writers and poets on the occasion MQM’s twentieth anniversary over telephone he declared that Justice cannot be discharged as long as the courts are not independent. Referring to the military operation in the tribal areas of NWFP he expressed his grief at the loss of life of innocent people and criticised religious parties in the form of MMA, who are extremely vocal about the atrocities upon the people of Waziristan, where as their leaders were silent when Z A Bhutto was hanged and the army operation was carried out in rural Sindh.  We all have sympathies with the innocent people of Waziristan but why did the MMA leadership not raise their voice when innocent people in Sindh were indiscriminately massacred, no did they offer any help.  Similarly when the army operation commenced against Mohajirs in Sindh on 19^th June 1992, those who are now part of MMA   rejoiced and clapped in delight.  Are the inhabitants of Sindh not human?  Do not they carry human blood in their veins?  Thousands of MQM workers were killed extra judicially; many thousands were prisoner on false and fabricated changes.  Thousands of families were evicted from their homes and dozens of workers are still unaccounted for.  Where all those not Muslims?  Mr Altaf Hussain said that MMA is very vocal against the US and declaring the US as an anti Muslim State.  It is now for the people of Pakistan to declare as to who was responsible for making the US a uni-polar super power by defeating the Soviet Union?  Who played the key role in the cold war against the Soviet?  He pointed out that it was the very religious parties who were shoulder to shoulder, in their own interest, with the US against the Soviet Union on ground that the people of USA are the people of the Book.  Now that the US is targeting them they look at it as the enemy of Islam!  How hypo-crate can you get, he asked?  You are now reaping what you had shown years ago, he declared.  It is high time for self-analysis and assessment to find out the root cause of what is happening today.  He asked as to who r rejoicing upon the mayhem, murder and oppression upon the descendents of the makers of Pakistan? He said that at the time of June 1992 military operation, when dozens were being killed every day, I preached patience and trust in God with firm belief that sooner or later the aggressors will be reprimanded.  It is felt by some that today Pakistan army is in difficulty!  Had they thought about this prior to 19 June 1992 operations and at the time of indiscriminate massacres of Baloch and Sindhis, they would not have found themselves in this difficulty.  They are reaping what they sowed, he declared.  The clerics are blaming President Musharraf that he has traded the country’s sovereignty, may I ask them, as to what did they say when they sided with the USA against the Soviets?  On whose signals were the mullas supporting the US against the Soviets?  Did they have a divine revelation?  Had they been wise the country would not have been in such a fix today.  But everything is not lost.  The country can be safeguarded if we establish justice, treat everyone equally, the provinces are given full autonomy to run their affair and like senate all provinces have equal representation in the armed forces.  All provinces must have their due share in the water resources and all dams and canals should be developed with full consent of the people of the provinces.  Mr Altaf Hussain pointed out that the world politics has changed since the event of 11 September 2001 and we must be rational and not emotional in our actions.

The MQM is the only party that represents 98% poor and middle class people of Pakistan and is working for their rights.  It is wrong to brand such party as anti-Islam and against the state.  In fact the MQM actions represent the true spirit of Islam.  According to prophet Mohammad (PBUH) one must not torment the weak and the oppressed but strive for their right.  The MQM is doing just that by raising voice against barbaric act of Karo Kari and speaking for the rights of women in society.  He questioned whether the action of Karo Kari is justified in the name of Islam?  Islam teaches respect for women.  He reminded that the very first revelation upon prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was testified by a woman, his wife Khatija.  But our clerics are preaching that women should be confined to their houses.  But the same clerics send their women folk to the national assemblies to sit with men!  The religious clerics also preach for destruction of TV sets, cameras and tape recorders abut they carry Klashnikove rifle and rocket launchers.  Muslims do not manufacture these weapons, so why do they carry it?

If they think that the use of modern inventions is un-Islamic, they should get rid of the weapons they carry and fight with swords and bow and arrow!  Something that did not exist 1400 years ago, how can it be termed as “Haram”!  He pointed out that to love your indigenous soil is not un-Islamic.  We love the land of Sindh because it provided us sustenance.  We will continue to live and die here. 

It is high time that democracy is strengthened in the country.  Justice cannot be provided until the courts are free and independent.  We have to be tolerant of other people’s faith and religious practices.  Finally, Mr. Altaf Hussain congratulated all the righteous people of Pakistan on the 20^th anniversary and thanked the journalists, columnists, students and ladies for their participation.  He asked all the workers and office bearers as to reflect what mistakes we committed in the past twenty years, over come our weaknesses, should not be bamboozled by religious fanatics and devote ourselves to the service of mankind with sincerity.