The News International
30 October 1999

Feudalism crux of Pakistan's woes: Altaf

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Muttahida chief Altaf Hussain has said that the crux of the problem in Pakistan was the feudal system and all the problems would be resolved on their own if this obsolete system was eliminated.

This he stated while addressing from London the Muttahida Coordination Committee, which is busy preparing a working paper relating to different issues of the people.

He also demanded of the National Security Council (NSC) that Pakistan should be made completely free of weapons and all the weapons should be seized from the feudal lords and influential people.

He said 90 per cent of the crimes would be finished once the country was made free of arms. Those earning their livelihood from the arms trade should be compensated after being made to give up the business, he added.

Altaf demanded of the NSC to impose complete ban on display of weapons without any discrimination, adding that adopting double standards could turn into a counter-productive exercise.

It was high time, he said, that a decentralisation policy was introduced at the grassroots level. Altaf advised the Coordination Committee to complete this working paper by October 28. He said Muttahida was keen on the development and prosperity of the country for which various suggestions were being given to the NSC.