THE ACT OF ALLEGING THE MQM IN HAKIM SAEED'S MURDER CASE IS TANTAMOUNT TO INFLUENCING THE JUDICIARY: ALTAF HUSSAIN:
PRIME MINISTER NAWAZ SHARIF HAS GIVEN GO AHED TO POLICE, ADMINISTRATION AND BUREAUCRACY TO INTENSIFY OPERATION AGAINST THE MQM.
THE IRRESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE OF PRIME MINISTER IS UNHEARD IN ANY CIVILISED SOCIETY
London 29 October 1998.
Mr. Altaf Hussain, founder & leader of the MQM while commenting on the false allegations levelled by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif against the MQM said that such act of alleging was a part of the conspiracy of maligning the MQM nationally and internationally. In a statement he said that the MQM had refused to support Nawaz Sharif on Shariat Bill on principle and in the wake of that he had started State Operation by accusing MQM on false charges. He said that to crush MQM, Nawaz Sharif had adopted the similar nefarious tactics that were used by the previous regimes. By alleging in such a manner he had attempted to destroy the vote bank of the MQM and to demolish its very existence so that to pave way to impose the control of Muslim League on Karachi through such undemocratic means.
Mr Altaf Hussain strongly refuted the allegations levelled against the MQM by Mian Nawaz Sharif and said that such actions were not only lamentable and amount to open distrust but also criminal. He said that when someone in a position of country's head would use such strong words and actions then in reality that would communicate a message to all the institutions of State, Agencies and bureaucracy that what attitude they should adopt with any such target. He said that specially in the third world countries Prime Minister or in presidential set-up President, when would use strong words then every sensible person can evaluate that in turn what consequent attitude the bureaucracy, State institutions and Agencies would adopt with such person or organisation.
Mr Altaf Hussain said that the Prime Minister had falsely accused the MQM even before the murder case of Hakim Saeed was produced in the court. He said that such action of Prime Minister was not only tantamount to influencing the judiciary but was also utterly illegal. He said that all over the world police used to produce accused in the court but the charges framed by the police might not necessarily be correct. Mr Hussain emphasised that only court could ascertain the veracity of charges and not the police. But the manner in which the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, only on the basis of police reports, had accused the third largest political party of the country, it had manifested that Mian Nawaz Sharif had wanted to transform the entire country into "Police State". By maligning the MQM, the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had not only given a signal to intensify Operation against the MQM but also had exposed the hidden desire in the back of his mind of being the absolute ruler of the country.
Mr Altaf Hussain said that the irresponsible attitude the Prime Minister had demonstrated was unheard in any civilised society. He said that the Prime Minister on one hand had accused the third largest political party of the country in the case of Hakim Saeed while on the other hand only mentioned a magistrate level inquiry for Fasih who was arrested and murdered in the State custody. Mr. Altaf Hussain was astonished that the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a press conference had accused MQM on the basis of so-called information attributed to Fasih Ahmed but failed to address the important issue that if, in fact, Fasih Ahmed was involved in that case and he had provided those information then why police tortured him to death. And why the personnel who murdered him were still at large. He said that all over the world special protection was provided to such kind of witnesses but the witness of that case was murdered and then fabricated statements were attributed to him. He said that while attributing such wild accusations was in itself extremely despicable act, it was akin to add insult to the injuries of the bereaved family. He asked that how Fasih Ahmed could then give statement of his innocence and how could he clarify his position since the Prime Minister of the country had not only murdered him but also had attributed false statements to that unfortunate deceased. Mr Altaf Hussain further added that the Prime Minister on the basis of police reports had accused the MQM but when the same police had made cases against him and his brother he had always claimed them as false. Mr Altaf Hussain said that if the Prime Minister had the moral courage and the slightest belief in democracy then he should tell the nation the truth that MQM had committed no crime and he was victimising the MQM only for opposing the Shariat Bill.
Mr Altaf Hussain addressed the MQM workers and said that once again a demoniac evil had befallen on the Movement. To crush the Movement another operation had begun. Network of informers had already spread everywhere. State personnel had started their search. He appealed to his companions to save their lives, go into hiding, and never disclose your hiding place to anyone. He urged them to remain peaceful and united and face the State Operation with determination and courage, which they had always demonstrated.
Mr Altaf Hussain specially addressed to mothers, sisters and elders and said the manner in which they had come forward and faced the operation of 19 June, 1992, and the manner in which they had fulfilled their responsibilities that was exceptionally commendable. Mr Hussain added that the Movement had to once again pass through test and endurance and their support was the real need of time. Mr Hussain appealed to them to come forward and support the Movement. Mr Hussain concluded that they had never disappointed Altaf Hussain and added that he believed that they would never disappoint him and always support the Movement.