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| Nawaiwaqt
| Nida-i-Millat | Family
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MQM will quit govt, says Altaf
BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
LAHORE - Chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has said if all parties agreed that no man in uniform has the right to rule the country and the military should not have any part to play in politics, the MQM will quit the government.
He stated this while addressing a Meet the Press programme held the Lahore Press Club on Sunday.
Altaf Hussain, while answering a question, said the MQM was part of the government, “but it has been constantly criticising it for its wrong doings. For instance, we have not approved of the military operations in Waziristan and Balochistan,” he said, while maintaining that there had been no democracy in the country. “All the political dispensations have been given direction from the GHQ. If all the political parties agree that there should not be any military interference in politics, then we will leave the government immediately,” he stated.
He said his Party’s agenda is for the restoration of democracy. “All parties, including the religious parties, agree on this, but they talk of changing the man, and never of changing the system. For instance, President in Uniform is unacceptable, but they never said ‘stop the army’s interference’,” he said, while saying that now it was asserted that the Legal Framework Order (LFO) was unacceptable. “Then on whose instructions, they voted in favour of the LFO,” he questioned.
Altaf Hussain launched a bitter diatribe against the religious parties. “Because of the policies, so-called religious parties have been used to strengthen the feudals and generals, which are doing the same till this date. On the establishment’s signal, these clerics went against Nawaz Sharif’s government, and started long marches and movements. Now, after the oust of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, these religions parties are talking of democracy,” he said.
About the present anti-US spate, he said, “Now these parties are burning the effigies of George Bush and US flags. During the Cold War, these religious parties were supported by the US, and the USSR was declared enemy of the Muslims. Resultantly, US became superpower. When dollars were being given, these parties used to say the US is better, because it has a religion. Now the other way round is being done in the name of religion, and innocent people are being made fool again.”
He said the country was passing through a bad patch, and political pundits and thinkers were putting forward different theories.
“They think that democracy is a must, and both exiled leaders of big parties should come back and play their role. Since 1947, a few politicians have been pivotal to politics.
A musical chair has been going on. Feudals and the army generals have made such a system that a few politicians come to power only. Pakistan’s crisis is because of this mindset. Because of previous policies, we are suffering, and it was because of the wrong policies, the debacle of Dhaka took place.” he said.
Altaf Hussain was of the view that America’s interests in the region had changed. “After Bush’s visit, political analysts say it was useful for India, but not for Pakistan, though we had done a lot. Despite being USSR’s ally, India is closer to the US now,” he said, while adding that he was ridiculed when he used to say that what would we do if the US interests would change. “It was denied vehemently without realising that countries relations are based on interests, which keep on changing with time,” he said.
He said that the MQM was the third largest political party and always wanted policies favourable to the country. “We wanted that agencies involvement in politics should be stopped, but we were stigmatised,” he stated, while adding that the MQM was the only party comprising middle class, and talked of the middle class order, and went against feudals.
“We are blamed for supporting Sardars, who are present in every province. Royalty to the Baloch Sardars was never given by the MQM. Because of these policies, situation is very tense in Balochistan and Waziristan. Stop use of power, and initiate dialogue to solve the issues,” he suggested.
While comparing Pakistan with India, Altaf Hussain said Pakistan was lagging far behind in every area in comparison to India, “because we are running Pakistan on adhocism. Money has always been ‘rule’ of the game.
Even the MMA indulged in it during the recent Senate elections,” he said. “Under the present geo-political circumstances, national integration is a must. We must unite, but we are in a habit of keep ourselves in illusions. We need to defend ourselves, as wars are fought with the masses’ support, and army alone cannot fight to win,” he maintained.
About Kashmir, he said, 60 to 70 percent of the budget was spent under the head of defence. “But Kashmir problem is still unresolved even during the last about six decades. Now dialogue has been initiated, which we wanted earlier,” he said.
While talking about his self-imposed exile, Altaf Hussain he was never sent out by any General.
“My partymen wanted me go outside Pakistan, but my character assassination was done. I want to come back, but I am not allowed by my followers because they say that in a country, where heads of state are being attacked, I should not be endangering my life,” he said, while ostensibly criticising Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.
“Those, who ruled the country, they should be asked why they are living in exile. Every body knows how did they manage to leave the country,” he said. Altaf was of the view that Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif should be allowed to come back, and should have political activities within the ambit of law.
While talking about the next general elections and his party’s organisation, he said that 23 units had been established in the Punjab.
“The MQM is getting popular, and a day will come when every one will accept us. And I will save the country with the help of my supporters. We can contest elections independently, which we have felt after our working,” he said. “No decision has been made yet on adjustment with other parties, but we can do after consultation, as there is nothing definite in politics,” he added.
In reply to a question about the year of elections, and voting for Musharraf “We don’t know when will be the elections held. Sher Afghan Niazi has his ideas. The Assembly has the right, but the MQM has not thought about it about voting for General Musharraf,” he said.
While answering hypothetical question about attack on Iran, he said Pakistan should play a neutral role, and must not become party to any country.
On dams, Altaf said the MQM’s stance was known. “We cannot go against people’s wishes. As people are in favour of the Bhasha Dam, so are we,” he said.
On the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), he said, “we are all concerned about the Balochistan situations, and should keep all factors in mind. The MQM supports provincial autonomy, but the warring factions within the country are not in favour of Pakistan.”
Central MQM leader Adil Siddiqui, President LPC Arshad Ansari and Secretary LPC Syed Shoaib-ud-Din were also present on the occasion. Adil Siddiqui presented a cheque of Rs 5 lac to the LPC president.
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