RESS CONFERENCE
RESPECTED JOURNALISTS
First of all we would like to thank you all for coming to attend this Press Conference. This press conference has been called to inform the people of Pakistan through press and media about the political activities of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
RESPECTED JOURNALISTS
It is well in your knowledge that the Kashmir dispute is still pending for a solution despite the lapse of 63 years. Kashmiri people are not only continuously struggling for their legitimate rights but also bearing the brunt of worst state repression in consequence of raising voice for their rights. Hundreds of thousands of people including women and children have laid down their lives for the Kashmir cause. Thousands of children had to face the pain and affliction of orphanage, thousands of women became widows, and thousands of parents had to lose the support of their old age. Despite these sacrifices the Kashmiri people are still deprived of their basic rights.
There are many reasons due to which the Kashmir dispute remained unresolved. We feel that the basic problems of Azad Jammu & Kashmir will not be solved unless the culture of dynastic politics and dominance of a few families in the political arena is
finished. The MQM extends full support to the struggle of Kashmiri people for their rights. We believe that unity of purpose and integrated efforts should be the essential ingredients for the success of the Kashmir cause instead of division and splitting up in groups. The efforts for the Kashmir cause should be continued imbued with a new resolve and determination so that the people could obtain their legitimate rights. The MQM has always believed that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. We also believe that representation of Kashmiri people in the process of dialogue for arriving at a solution of this sensitive issue must be ensured at every level.
RESPECTED JOURNALIST
You all know it very well that some political and religious parties in Pakistan have been collecting and devouring donations in the name of Kashmir cause. These religious and political parties who had been looting public in the name of Kashmir cause left the people alone in difficult times. When the catastrophic earthquake struck Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwah on 8th October 2005, the MQM and its charitable wing Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) were the first to come to the help of the affected people.
Leaders, elected representatives and thousands of workers of the MQM risked their lives for over a year to bring relief to the affected families. They distributed food grains and provided them with shelters and tents. They also provided medical and healthcare facilities to the people. This is not something that we
speak for ourselves. The Kashmiri people are themselves witness to the manner in which the MQM and the KKF served the people of Kashmir. We distributed food grains and other relief goods of over 3 billion rupees among the affected people which is a reflection of the fact that the MQM believes in practical efforts for serving the humanity.
RESPECTED JOURNALISTS
The MQM has laid the foundation of a positive change in the country by introducing leadership from the poor and middle class in the politics of Pakistan. The struggle of the MQM is now being extended to Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The MQM will field candidates from all the constituencies in the forthcoming general elections. A Kashmir election cell has been setup for this purpose which is busy in collecting data of potential candidates. Educated, able and honest people will be entrusted with the responsibility of leadership purely on merit.
RESPECTED JOURNALISTS
The MQM believes in the politics for serving the people. It is with the sense of a responsibility for serving the people that the MQM is starting its activities. We are also releasing the manifesto for elections in 2011 in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The MQM has chalked out a programme for the progress and prosperity of the Kashmiri people in the manifesto. We are confident that the MQM manifesto will gain wide acceptance among the Kashmiri people and they will make practical efforts under the charismatic leadership of Mr Altaf Hussain for a better and secure future. We would like to appeal to the Kashmiri elders, intellectuals, columnists, journalists and public at large to adopt the revolutionary philosophy of Mr Altaf Hussain instead of looking to politicians who are actuated by their personal gains. We ask them to elect educated, able and honest people so that they get the power to resolve their problems.
SALIENT POINTS OF THE MQM MANIFESTO FOR 2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN KASHMIR
The Kashmir dispute should be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
The MQM stands by the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination and legitimate rights.
Able leadership for poor and middle class will be introduced and a corruption free society will be established in Kashmir.
Twofold education system will be abolished and free education will be given up to matriculation level.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir will get its due share in the royalty of Mangla Dam like Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwah.
Hospitals and basic health centers will be established in the districts and
villages of Kashmir for providing healthcare facilities to the poor people.
Hydroelectric power projects will be started with the help of private sector.
Cottage industries will be promoted. A department will be established for promoting exports of marble products, fruits and garments.
Scholarships will be given to the poor Kashmiri students for higher education.
Black laws against women will be abolished and they will be given 33 per cent representation in all public institutions.
Full and transparent audit of funds collected for the reconstruction of areas hit by earthquake will be done.
Kashmiri emigrants will be given the right of vote and practical steps will be taken for the solution of Kashmiri migrants.
Income generated from development of natural resources will be used for the uplift of Kashmiri people.
Human rights and freedom of speech will be protected.
Good governance and system of merit will be implemented in Kashmir.
We thank you again for coming to attend this press conference
MEMBERS
CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE
MUTTAHIDA QUAMI MOVEMENT (PAKISTAN)