MQM IS AGAINST TERRORISM IN ALL ITS SORTS, FORM, SHAPE AND MANIFESTATION - ALTAF HUSSAIN

PAKISTANI STUDENTS STUDYING OVERSEAS SHOULD BE ROLE MODELS OF TOLERANCE AND HUMILITY TO PORTRAY THE TRUE IMAGE OF ISLAM AND PAKISTAN 

London – 21 January 2006

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement while meeting a delegation of overseas Pakistani students studying in the United Kingdom at the International Secretariat in London has stated that the MQM is a peace loving political party and is against terrorism in all its sorts, form, shape and manifestation. He further stated that the foreigners who are using the Pakistani soil to carry out such acts of terrorism must now realise that because of their presence in our country, not only the image of Pakistan is being tarnished in the eyes of international community but also innocent Pakistanis are being killed. He categorically demanded these foreigners and their masters, who are responsible for the acts of terrorism nationally and internationally, for the sake of safety and security of Pakistan and the lives of innocent Pakistanis, to leave our beloved motherland and return to their respective countries. He asked the overseas Pakistani students to present and show the international community the true picture that the Muslims of Pakistan are liberal, tolerant, democratic, peace loving, against terrorism and religious fanaticism; and believe in religious harmony, national integrity and solidarity. The overseas students expressed the concerns that after the terrorist act of 7/7 in London, the country’s image has been tarnished and all the Muslims, especially Pakistani Muslims are worried. Responding to their concerns Mr Hussain said that because of only a few terrorists and miscreants the image of our country and religion has suffered, whereas, a vast majority of the people of Pakistan are against terrorism and totally disassociates with such horrific acts of terrorism. Reiterating the stance of the MQM Mr Hussain said that MQM is against terrorism in all its sorts, forms, shape and manifestation and believes in religious tolerance. He further said that since the terrorist attacks of 9/11 the MQM is the only political party of the country that stood shoulder to shoulder with Pakistani government and the international community and offered its unconditional support in the war against terrorism. MQM is with the international community in war against terrorism and will continue all its efforts in this regard. During the meeting Mr Hussain requested the students to forward his message to all the overseas students to present themselves as role models of tolerance and humility and portray the true image of Islam and Pakistan.

SITUATION IN SINDH COULD ALSO FLARE UP ON THE PATTERN OF BALOCHISTAN IF TOTAL PROVINCIAL AUTONOMY IS NOT GRANTED-DR IMRAN FAROOQ
 

London-24 January 2006

A delegation of students from Sindh province studying overseas, including those studying in the United Kingdom met Dr Imran Farooq, Convenor of the Central Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) at the MQM International Secretariat in London yesterday. The students raised the question of denial of rights to Sindh and prevailing restiveness over denial of political, economic and social rights including right to govern. They sought ways and means of resolution or removal of these sense of sustained deprivation ingrained in the minds and hearts of the people of Sindh at the grass root levels.

Dr Imran Farooq responding to their questions said that Pakistan came into existence in accordance with the Lahore Resolution of 1940, as a result of unparalleled sacrifices of the Muslims of the minority provinces of undivided India. Amongst the Muslim majority provinces, province of Bengal voted 100 per cent in favour of the creation of Pakistan while a Resolution was passed in favour of Pakistan in Sindh Assembly. He further added that according to the spirit and essence of Lahore Resolution which was later termed as Pakistan Resolution, all the provinces were to be granted total provincial autonomy but sadly after the creation of Pakistan, the provinces particularly former East Pakistan and the smaller provinces were totally denied the provincial autonomy. This resulted restiveness amongst the people of the former East Pakistan and brute power to oppress them was used instead of granting total provincial autonomy and providing due rights resultantly former East Pakistan separated itself and Pakistan was dismembered.

 Dr Imran Farooq said that whatever is happening in Balochistan today is the carbon copy of what took place in the former East Pakistan and one of the fundamental reasons were that the people of Balochistan are also denied their rights, including the right to govern their province. He further added that to save Pakistan it is now crucial to provide total provincial autonomy to all the provinces. He emphasised that he sincerely advise the people at the helm of affairs to provide total provincial autonomy to Sindh on urgent basis or else the prevailing restiveness amongst the people of Sindh could convert into the flames of independence and similar situation could develop in Sindh that exist in the province of Balochistan.

 Dr Imran Farooq said that as a patriotic Pakistani, he appeals to the people at the helm of affairs to provide total provincial autonomy to all the provinces to save Pakistan because this is the only route left to save the Federation of Pakistan.

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