PROVINCES MUST BE PROVIDED WITH FULL PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY – ALTAF HUSSAIN

Tando Adam – 20 September 2002
Mr Altaf Hussain , MQM Founder & Leader, has stated that to make Pakistan strong all the provinces must be granted full provincial autonomy according to the spirit of the 1940 Resolution and the right to govern their provinces.  He was addressing a huge election rally on Friday at the Railway Ground in Tando Adam .  People from Tando Adam , Beerani and adjoining areas including womenfolk attended this rally.  Apart from Mohajirs, large number of Sindhis, Baloch, religious minorities and people from other communities also participated.

Speaking on the problems faced by the citizens of Tando Adam , Mr Hussain pointed out the acute water shortage in the city and adjacent areas.  He demanded that the Government should take special measures for the provision of water.  He said that recently oil and gas reserves have been discovered in Sanghar with an expected daily production of 1600-barrel oil and 6 million cubic feet gas.  Ironically, the local residents have been deprived of employment in the oil and gas fields.  Pakistan is surviving on the wealth and resources of Sindh; however, the people of this province are denied employment, education, health and even drinking water.  Most of the industries have shutdown whereas the one’s that are functioning, the local people are being thrown out of jobs compelling them to face starvation and with no option but to commit suicide.  Would such circumstances not develop a sense of deprivation?  He demanded of the people at the helm of affairs to end these injustices and oppression and provide full provincial autonomy according to the spirit of 1940 Resolution to all the provinces.  Only the functions of Defence, Currency and Foreign Affairs may be kept with the Federation and the rest must be transferred to the provinces with the right to govern their own affairs.  The right to employment in police, rangers and administration in Sindh must be given to Sindh.  He emphasised that providing rights and autonomy to the provinces would strengthen the country.  Giving examples of America and Britain , he said that despite the fact that every State in America is autonomous and has its own law and flag, America is a powerful country.  Similarly in Britain , Scotland and Wales are autonomous States, but Britain remains a powerful country.  He said that prosperity comes with delegation of power, whereas the denial to delegate power would results in deterioration.  He advised the people at the helm of affairs to take notice of MQM’s manifesto, provide all provinces their rights and quit the tradition of labelling those demanding rights as “traitors”.   He emphasised that our struggle is peaceful, we do not want confrontation with anyone – our message is of peace and peace only.  He strongly condemned the attacks upon MQM candidates to harass them by the rival candidates.  He particularly deplored the incident where a offices of an MQM candidate was set on fire.  Addressing the nominated candidates of all the parties he said that they have the full right to deliver the manifesto of their parties to the public and gain their support.  However, hampering the election activities of MQM candidates, terrorising them is not right.  He said that today all the oppressed people know that MQM is the only party, which struggles for the rights of the poor.  He said that if the Elections would be free, fair and transparent then God willing, MQM would form the Government in Sindh province.  He said that by the Grace of Allah Almighty, Urdu and Sindhi speaking people are united and no one could break this unity.  He thanked the public and journalists for attending the rally and paid tribute to the MQM workers, Sindh Organising Committee and Members of Sanghar Zone for organising the rally.