London
– 28 October 2001
Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder and Leader, has said that we wish
to acquire the rights of Sindh Province, within the framework of
Pakistan. However, if the State oppression against those
demanding their rights would continue then the people at the helm
of affairs must beware that when a community is persistently
denied its rights and targeted with State oppression then nature
takes it course and the geography of the country alters. He
was addressing the Thatta Press Club over the telephone from
London. Members of the Press Club, including Urdu and
Sindhi speaking journalists, intellectuals, poets, social and
political workers and people from nearby towns were present.
Mr Hussain commenced his address in Sindhi Language with the
famous Shah Latif’s verse.
Speaking on the historical importance of Thatta, Mr Hussain said
that it is the city of saints, courageous and loving people.
Following their footsteps, we declare to peacefully struggle to
unshackle Sindh from the slavery of the Establishment. It is the
moral obligation of those who are permanently settled, make their
living and associated with Sindh, to be loyal to Sindh.
Mr Hussain said that both the Urdu speaking and Sindhi-speaking
people are sons of Sindh Dharti. We live and die together,
therefore, we must unite and struggle for the rights of Sindh
Province. He said that the Establishment is conspiring to
confront us against each other, so as to continue with the
colonisation of Sindh Province. The waderas and jaagirdars
are responsible for the colonisation of the Sindh Province as
they became the agents of the Establishment and traded the
interests of their motherland for personal gains. The
entire Administration, police and bureaucracy of the Province, is
imported from Punjab. Despite contributing seventy (70)
percent towards the national exchequer, Sindh is not even granted
two (2) percent in return. In addition, whatever meagre
amount is allotted to Sindh is snatched back in the form of
expenses upon the Police and Paramilitary Rangers, which have
been imposed upon Sindh Province.
Addressing the people of Sindh, Mr Hussain said, “You have
tried Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League and other parties but
Sindh got nothing. Now give my party and me a chance.
I would never disappoint you and assure you that I would never
betray the Land of Shah Latif.” He said that when
despite all the State oppression he could keep the MQM united and
functional then why he could not struggle for the rights of the
motherland.
Mr Hussain said that the so-called religious and jihadi
organisations are openly displaying arms in their demonstrations,
causing destruction and arson with impunity. Whereas when
the MQM and JSQM even hold peaceful hunger strikes for demanding
water then our elderly leaders and even women are baton-charged
and the peaceful protestors fired upon.
During his address, Mr Hussain demanded of the Government to
immediately release of Basheer Qureshi and other innocent leaders
and workers of MQM and JSQM. If the State oppression
against those demanding their rights would continue then the
people at the helm of affairs must beware that when a community
is persistently denied its rights and targeted with State
oppression then nature takes it course and the geography of the
country alters. He further stated that the United Nations
Charter also declares that if a State persistently victimises a
community through ethnic cleansing for demanding their rights,
then that community reserves the right to demand for self-determination.
Mr Hussain clarified that we want the rights of Sindh within the
framework of Pakistan. We demand that according to the 1940
Resolution, Sindh and other smaller provinces must be granted
full provincial autonomy. All the provinces shall have
total autonomy and all the present functions of the Federation
with the exception of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Currency shall
be transferred to the provinces.