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Altaf asks whether Mohajirs are still Pakistanis
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder leader Altaf Hussain has said establishment and nation should tell mohajirs clearly whether they wanted to treat them as equal citizens.
Hussain said those who sacrificed everything for the sake of Pakistan were not being considered Pakistanis.
Hussain expressing resentment over untoward attitude with ‘Mohajirs’ said, “Our ancestors scarified a lot for the creation of Pakistan, had never thought even in their dreams their offspring would be treated so badly”.
Come forward and announce courageously so that it should be made clear who were we. If you would not behave well with mohajirs in Pakistan then curse would come. Addressing a large meeting of party general workers through video link at Lal Qila Ground, Hussain said he and his party were blamed in past being separatists. We were also blamed of having torture cells. It was told MQM drills its political opponents. Statements also came chapter of Altaf Hussain was also closed, if there would be many factions of Muslim League then why not of MQM. For this purpose Haqqiqi was made. Weapons were distributed against us, he added.
Hussain said for the last fifty days in Islamabad there were protests by two parties. They entered in Pakistan Television (PTV)’s building and damaged belongings of the TV station. He asked whether they were called traitors or any case has been registered against them. If MQM had entered in PTV building then what would happen. MQM leader was of the view, “We are not even allowed to stage sit-in in Islamabad. When we protested straight fire was opened on the workers”. Hussain announced MQM would soon conduct a countrywide protest demanding fundamental rights of the citizens and to wipeout feudal system from the country.
He said in 1973, then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declared quota system in Sindh for ten years. It was said it was because those living in Sindh rural areas did not enjoy the facilities, the urban people were enjoying. “Today after passing 37 years of quota system neither Pakistan Peoples’ Party, Pakistan Muslim League, Awami National Party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) nor anyone opposed it,” he added.
He said migration was Sunnat-e-Nabawi. Those who migrated in the path of Allah were respected. He alleged law-enforcing agencies entered into the houses of mohajirs and they treated them with foul language and manhandling. During raids Urdu speaking people were abused and called foreign agents. It was also said who called you to Pakistan. You are people of India and go back to India. Hussain said two days ago I wrote a letter to Chief of Army Staff raising fourteen points. He said any one whether Inter-Services Public Relations, Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence or any other Military institution could reply. He said during tenures of Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Zulfiqkar Ali Bhutto mohajris were deprived of key government posts. He said it should be made clear why June 19, 1992 military operation had been launched against the MQM. MQM was accused it tortured political opponents and it did not allow other parties contesting elections except itself. He said we never depended on guns even never dislodged our biggest opponent JI’s camps. Had we been depending on guns in 1993 during elections, law enforcers were on roads. Hussain said he wanted to restructure the party to purge it from intruders but people from unknown sites entered into the party and such elements could not be expelled from the party.
Companions, calling his people he said, “I advise you take the power minus Altaf Hussain in your hands and do whatever you want”. The party workers stood up and chanted slogans in his favour negating his wish.
He said when Military started operation in Wazirstan, he came forward and supported it. He said one million-march was organised by MQM to pay tributes to Military.
He said MQM was blamed for making Jinnahpur plan. False Jinnahpur maps along with material were distributed in the name of MQM. It was told those maps and material had been recovered from MQM offices besides false reports had also been published.
He said Bengalis were also kicked but the day when I would announce I would not bear abuses then there would be no talk, there would be a fight.
He said we converted Mohajir Qaumi Movement to MQM and set up its units all over the country but even then during raids we were called ‘mohajir mohajir’. He said when MQM would come in power it would make Quaid-e-Azam’s true Pakistan. In Quaid’s Pakistan everyone would get education and health facilities. Feudalism system would be eliminated.
He said during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s tenure Larkana’s mayor was Urdu-speaking. After Bhutto, PPP did not build roads and infrastructure even in Larkana. Was this also MQM’s fault. He said PPP has not developed Sindh despite having it government for long. He said PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari did nothing for the development of Karachi. Chief Minister of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah too old that he even did not remember from where he was coming.
He said he was not talking about the division of Sindh. We do not want to divide Sindh but wanted administrative units. Citing the example of Saudi Arabia, he said why not North Sindh, South Sindh, East Sindh and West Sindh could be made. The administrative units will benefit in the development of the country. MQM chief said he was seeing Sindh as his mother.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk