Summary MQM Rabta Committee says Altaf Hussain talked about division of resource, not of Sindh.
KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Clarifying Altaf Hussain’s statements, MQM Rabta Committee in its press conference on Saturday stated that their rights are being denied and that a grand rally will be carried out in Karachi tomorrow. Committee went on to say that the conspiracies have been exposed after the court decision, referring to the Sindh High Court’s ruling terming the provincial delimitations unlawful.
MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that the way they are being treated is akin to that of a step mother. He went on to clarify that Altaf Hussain talked about the division of resources and not of the province. He further added that the ‘Urdu-speaking’ populace is being pushed to the corner. ‘Altaf bhai said that the hearts of people of Hyderabad and Karachi cannot be possessed even if their lands are.’ he added.
Sattar also said that there was no outcry when ANP leader Wali Khan allegedly spoke of the disintegration of the country if the Kala Bagh Dam project proceeded.
“Why do we have to remind every time that we are sons of Sindh?” he asked, “nationalist parties have played Sindh card”.
MQM’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated that the outcry over Altaf Hussain’s statements is incomprehensible as Altaf Hussain has always aligned with PPP for the sake of ‘love for Sindh’.
Rabta Committee thanked party workers for carrying out successful procession in Hyderabad.
Earlier today, MQM Rabta Committee’s deputy convener Nasir Jamal had stated that Altaf Hussain has called for division of resources and not of province. He further said that the demand of separate province is not a violation of the constitution. Deputy convener went on to say that it’s about time that the Urban populace of Sindh be given due rights.
Taking on Chief Minister Sindh, he said that the CM should read full speech of Altaf Hussain before commenting on it. Those talking of bloodshed should remember that Urdu-speaking population has survived it before, he added.
In another development, Muhajir Rabta Council has announced their support to the call for separate province. The MRC leader said that those criticizing Altaf Hussain’s speeches have called for ‘SindhuDesh’ themselves in the past.
MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain had lashed out on Sindh government over delimitations for local body polls in Sindh on Friday, calling for separate province and subsequently the separate country if demand for ‘equal rights’ not met.
Altaf Hussain further claimed that the Urdu-speaking population outnumbers the Sindhi population which he says can be verified through an independent UN census.
Addressing to the PPP leadership Bilawal and Asif Ali Zardari, he said if the concerns of Muhajir community aren’t addressed timely, “we’ll call for separate province for now and if the problems are still not solved, the demand for province can become the demand for separate country.”
“We are also children of Sindh, if we have lived side by side in Sindh for so long, we can live in separate provinces as well.” he added as reported by Dunya News. “Court ruled in our favor about the injustices done to the Muhajir community. You and us are alike, you’ll step forward to shake hand, we’ll reciprocate”.
Altaf Hussain had further warned that Urdu-speaking community is well aware about ‘how to cross rivers of blood is well experienced by our ancestors and we are their children and we know how to take what’s ours’. MQM chief maintained. ‘We didn’t come to Pakistan to become slaves, neither are we here to become masters, we merely want to become equal citizens.’
Hussain also demanded the immediate suspension of ‘operation against MQM workers’. ‘We know how to sacrifice lives, we have done that in the past, we can do that again.’ MQM chief said.
MQM chief vowed to open the Sindh University in Hyderabad if the provincial government doesn’t do it in a month, giving a deadline to the government.
The presser had quickly turned to a Twitter-feud when PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto responded on micro-blogging website quoting Sindhi military leader of nineteenth century Hoshu Sheedi: “We will die but won t give Sindh [to others]”
Following Bilawal’s tweet, Altaf Hussain responded immediately live on TV in the following words:
“Mr. Bilawal, we know your sentiments, we are good boys, not bad boys; you are my nephew. I advise you to think several times before you speak. Like you, we are also humans and have sentiments. It is my suggestion as an uncle to you and I don’t want to talk to you on this matter because I can talk to your father instead. You are my nephew, behave like nephew, Asifa is my niece, Bakhtawar is my niece and I respect you all but this division must come to an end. It depends on you how you resolve the problem.”
Altaf Hussain had also taken on to the establishment in the following words:
“I am addressing the establishment; you want to sideline half of the population of Sindh. When will you interfere? When migrants will shout for independent state, then will you intervene? What do you want? Don’t call me traitor, I am not saying anything, I am merely asking philosophically. What do you want? I am not constitutional expert I am merely talking philosophically.”
Talking about Musharraf, MQM chief warned ‘what are you doing to Musharraf? Just because he is Muhajir?’
“Article 5 comes before article 6. I am a student of constitution.” added Altaf Hussain. “Punish Musgharraf if you want but also imprison those who acted on the Marshall Law orders on ground. Why are others being excused?”
Naming alleged violators of constitution, he said “General (r) Kyani is also involved, CJ(r) Iftikhar and other judges were also parts and parcels of extra judicial acts.”
Advising to the party workers about his legacy, Altaf Hussain had said: “Whatever happens to me doesn’t matter, even if I am killed, do not let my movement die.”
Finally Altaf Hussain had called upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to intervene immediately saying the provincial government has abandoned the Urdu speaking populace.
