News
Monday, April 11, 2011
No one can keep MQM out of Punjab: Altaf
* MQM chief accuses establishment of creating hurdles to stop MQM’s entry in the province
LAHORE: The MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, said on Sunday that although the country’s establishment threw a spanner in his way in order to prevent him from making a landfall in Punjab, but now he had come to Punjab and none could stop him anymore. Addressing a well-disciplined public meeting of the MQM titled ‘Istehkam-e-Pakistan Jalsa’ that was held at the at Qaddafi Stadium on Sunday, he asked global powers to look at the strength of his public meeting in Punjab and see that the people of Pakistan supported him. Around 10,000 people from across the country turned up at the meeting that was the first show of strength by Sindh-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Punjab after a struggle spanning over almost five years. Altaf committed to the natives of Punjab that if his party came to power, it would change the political, social and economic culture of the country. MQM chief announced that his party would bring a revolution of young, educated people in the country and amend the constitution in favour of the labour class, women and minorities who, he said, were still deprived of their true, basic and fundamental rights. He made a commitment to the people of Kashmir that MQM would resolve the issue of Kashmir for good in line with their wishes, whenever it succeeded in forming a government. Regarding creation of a separate province in southern Punjab, he said the matter would be resolved through votes. Altaf announced to make amendments in the constitution in order to revoke discriminatory laws against women and minorities. “We will provide equal rights to women and minorities vis a vis other citizens of the country,” he said. Altaf further announced that through constitutional amendments, he would frame an independent foreign policy and put an end to the dictation by foreign countries. “There will be no dependence on the IMF and WB and some reforms will be introduced in the economic system to achieve this end,” he said. He asked the nation to exert pressure on the government as well as the military establishment to prevent Balochistan from seceding from Pakistan. “MQM is ready to play the role of a mediator in this regard,” he added. Altaf further said that he believes in an independent judiciary. “After coming to power, my government will constitute an independent accountability commission to eliminate corruption from the society,” he concluded. hussain kashif
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk