Poor people should make a concerted struggle against the corrupt feudal system instead of fighting with one another
Address to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Convention in Islamabad
The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has said that if the people of the poor and middle classes got united on a single platform for their rights and for eliminating the archaic feudal system, no one would be able to resist the arrival of a revolution in Pakistan. He was addressing a gathering the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Convention in Islamabad. District-level office-bearers of the MQM from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended the convention. A large number of women and students were also present on the occasion.
Mr Hussain said that the conspirators had been ruling by creating a feud between the Pakhtuns and the Mohajirs, hence it was necessary for the poor people to resolve that they would not fight each other. They must make a concerted effort against the feudal lords for obtaining their rights. He further said that the MQM was waging a practical struggle against the system of corrupt political culture and dynastic politics.
Speaking about the importance of discipline in struggles for rights, Mr Hussain said that the nations with a sense of discipline become prosperous and make advancement. Hence maintaining discipline in the struggles for truth was of first importance for the people affiliated with the struggle.
Mr Hussain said that there was no dispute between the Pakhtuns and the Mohajirs in Karachi for the past three to five decades. The Pakhtun people used to earn their livelihood by the sweat of their brows, but some elements sowed the seeds of hatred and conspired to set the Pakhtuns and the Mohajirs against each other. The vested interests wanted to secure their rule fuelling hostilities.
Mr Hussain said that Bacha Khan, who struggled for peace all his life, underwent hardships in jails like ordinary workers but did not swerve from his fight against imperialism. The MQM had also been struggling against the feudal system in the country and the fight between the followers of the ideology of Altaf Hussain and Bacha Khan would only serve the purpose of the ruling clique. It was therefore, necessary for the poor people to make up their mind that they would struggle against the privileged ruling class instead of fighting with one another.
Mr Hussain said that the shrines of saints were being bombed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the blood of the Hazara community was being spilled in Quetta. Terrorists involved in violence, bloodshed and kidnapping for ransom were operating freely in Karachi, but no action was being taken against them.
Mr Hussain said that he had been struggling against the corrupt feudal system for the past 35 years. More than seventeen thousands laid down their lives during this struggle and thousands were subjected to an inhuman torture in government torture cells. A large number of people were uprooted from their homes and forced to go into exile.
Mr Hussain said that in the course of its long struggle, the MQM took part in elections for local bodies and general elections but no one from his own family ever took part in the elections. He said that his brother Nasir Hussain and nephew Arif Hussain were arrested and subjected to brutal torture for three days. They were later taken to Gadap area and shot dead. The blood-thirsty killers split the head of my nephew with an axe in order to frighten him, but he refused to bow down.
Mr Hussain said that his family suffered greatly, but he continued to raise his voice for truth and justice. He said that his family members could have easily become ministers, advisors and members of elected assemblies but the MQM was strictly against the culture of dynastic politics.
Mr Hussain said that he did not need anything for himself and the interest of the people of Pakistan was of supreme importance for him. He said that he wanted to establish a just and equitable system in Pakistan that could give equal opportunities to the rich and poor alike. He added that his struggle was solely for the people of Pakistan and against the status quo gripping the country.
Mr Hussain said that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not forbid women to get knowledge. Those who were against educating the women were acting completely against the teachings of Islam.
Mr Hussain said that if the name “North West Frontier Province” was not acceptable because it was given by the British, how was it possible to allow the system made by the British to continue in Pakistan?
Mr Hussain said that baseless allegations were levelled against the MQM in the past, but they proved to be false. Even generals had to accept on television channels that Altaf Hussain had refused to accept money from them as against other national leaders.
Mr Hussain said that the MQM was strongly against the political system that was lubricated with ill-gotten wealth. The MQM sent educated and honest people in the assemblies, and it was the only political party in the country that never sold party tickets for huge sums of money.
Mr Hussain said that the MQM was a peaceful party, but its peacefulness must not be misconstrued. He said that the organizational work in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was stopped because of the prevailing circumstances, but it would now start with full vigour. He particularly asked the women workers to expedite the work of the women's wing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mr Hussain announced that a big public meeting would be held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa soon. He asked the local office-bearers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan to make a list of honest and able candidates for the upcoming general elections. He welcomed all those who had joined the MQM.
In the end, Mr Hussain extended sympathies to the family members of Malik Mumtaz and other slain journalists. He also paid rich tributes to haq parast MPA Manzar Imam who was assassinated sometime back.