MQM Founder & Leader Mr. Altaf Hussain flays drive against Dr Qadeer

KARACHI, June 1: Founder & Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), Mr. Altaf Hussain on Monday criticised attempts to belittle the contribution of renowned nuclear scientist Dr A.Q.Khan in transforming Pakistan into a nuclear state.

Addressing sector-level office bearers of the MQM at Azizabad, Mr Hussain in a strongly worded speech said that certain quarters were engaged in the character assassination of the renowned nuclear scientist soon after Pakistan became a nuclear power. It is unfortunate that attempts are being made to discard him as deadwood, though he did not care for threats to his own life.

Paying rich tributes to Dr. A.Q.Khan, Mr Hussain said the renowned scientist is being punished by the vested interests because he is a Mohajir, said Mr Hussain, adding that this humiliating treatment was the continuation of the parochial attitude to which the Mohajirs have been subjected over the past 50 years.

He said that those who were engaged in such an exercise were not the well wishers of Pakistan and their attitude will only help the enemy who is searching for an opportunity to create dissension, and demolishing Pakistan from within.

He demanded that the character assassination of Dr Qadeer be stopped forthwith.

He recalled sacrifices rendered by Muslims of the minority province for the creation of Pakistan and added that conspirators eliminated the founding fathers and entrenched the exploitative system under the umbrella of religion.

Condemning criticism of Dr A.Q. Khan's role in arming Pakistan with nuclear capability, the MQM chief flayed those elements who were now saying that the renowned scientist had no role in nuclear tests.

He said that everyone knows that Dr A.Q.Khan has not only introduced the uranium enrichment technology in Pakistan but also developed various weapon systems, and provided a leadership role in developing a team of dedicated and selfless nuclear scientists from across the country.

Mr Hussain was amazed that just after Pakistan tested six nuclear devices, processions were taken out against a person who pioneered this programme and was fully involved in it.

Mr Altaf Hussain demanded that President, Prime Minister and other elements in the establishment should take serious notice of the conspiracy against Pakistan's nuclear programme.

He alleged that those who are at the helm of affairs in the civil and military bureaucracy had no role in the struggle for Pakistan. This ruling mafia has targeted the founders of Pakistan and their offsprings over the past 50 years.

Addressing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Mr Hussain pointed out that MQM had supported him in 1990 but they were subjected to an army operation. The MQM again supported the PML in 1997 but the operation is continuing and over 150 MQM supporters have been killed since the present government took over.

He warned the government to stop the discrimination against Mohajir and they should be treated like Pakistanis, otherwise they may be compelled to think of other alternatives.

At the end of the address a resolution was adopted by the MQM leadership, praising contribution of Dr. A.Q.Khan. It was also decided that in recognition of his services, the nuclear scientist will be honoured in the city.