Pakistan

Conspiracy afoot in Sindh: Altaf Hussain

Express May 09, 2010

KARACHI: MQM Chief Altaf Hussain said that certain elements are trying to fuel ethnic riots in Sindh. He said this during the Rabita Committee’s meeting held simultaneously in London and Karachi on Sunday.

The MQM chief added that the people of Sindh should be wary of conspiracies and remain united, while he accused landlords of hatching linguistic conspiracies in Sindh.

Sources say the MQM Coordination Committee may take a decision for MQM to quit the coalition during its meeting today due to the Hyderabad district controversy.

Sources also say that all provincial and federal ministers and advisors of MQM have already submitted their resignations to the MQM coordination committee.

Reaction:

Federal minister for petroleum and natural resources Syed Naveed Qamar said a decision to restore Hyderabad to its earlier status as a single district has not been taken as yet. He said the MQM's reaction to the proposals is premature.

Speaking to the media at his residence in Hyderabad, Naveed Qamar said restoration of the district to its previous status is a long held demand of the people.

He stressed that former President Pervez Musharraf's decision to divide the district was unjust and did not even comply with legal requirements at the time.

Naveed Qamar said the Pakistan Peoples Party always takes on board sentiments of locals and alliance partners when making such a decision.

The party in this case, he said, will follow its tradition of negotiations and move ahead after consensus is forged between the two parties.

COMMENTS (14)

Ali Haider | 14 years ago | Reply I don't think muhajirs are eating up any resources. I think they have equal rights on everything since they are Pakistani citizens. A Sindhi or Punjabi can not claim to have more rights than them. But at the same time, I know for a fact that many many muhajirs do not support MQM, and I think MQM and muhajir should not be used interchangeably. I do not agree to calling urdu-speaking people muhajirs. That sounds like not accepting them as Pakistanis. Which is wrong. But I guess the word has stuck around for so long because of MQM itself, which started of as Muhajir Qaumi Movement.

F | 14 years ago | Reply The current prime minister is Sindhi and all the former ones were also Sindhis. Unfortunately, Sindhi people always suffer from the party they elect, and then blame it on MQM or immigrants. Why are the areas where Sindhis are in majority are so underdeveloped? Larkana, the stronghold of PPP looks like a ruined town. Why does Sindhis love PPP when it does nothing for them? And if you like to continue to vote for wadairas please don't blame that mohajirs are eating up your resources.

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Aristo | 14 years ago | Reply Looks like PPP is in no mood to hold local bodies elections, all of these tactics are to ensure that. Krachites must show their intent that they want a City Nazim soon. Karachi in the last three months has started to rot again, karachites wake up before its too late!

Urban Soul | 14 years ago | Reply Some times the comments I saw regarding MQM or Mr. Altaf, from the people who are literate, sensible and informed, leave me with confusion, It is very rare to see real criticism which is not based on Biases, misconception and on real knowledge and understanding of ground realities. unfortunately to some extent same is the case with Mr. Zardari, seems no body likes him but 95% I have discussed the issue with Mr. Zardari 's incompetence, politics or dealings aren't the cause, its his being ZARDARI is a problem.

M. Nazakat Ali Khan | 14 years ago | Reply Government decision is not a right decision. President should intervene immediately.

Ishaq Tunio | 14 years ago | Reply Karachi and Hyderabad are important cities of Sindh developed with Sindh s resources before partition. Since 1947 local migrants and immigrants are trying to root out Sindhis from both cities and policy of ethnic cleansing of Sindhis is visible . During the dictatorial regime of General Mushraf MQM was given free hand in Karachi and Hyderabad. Constituencies were created dividing Sindhis votes in a way that they could not get democratic representation , Karachi was created one district combining 5 districts of more than 12 million population and Hyderabad 2 million population was divided in three districts main reason of decentralization of power to lower level was given . Then government of Dr Arbab Raheem did not pay attention to protests of Sindhis ( majority of population protested against Hyderabad s division even PPP and Syed Qaim Ali Shah were part of that protest) There were also Talukas like Nawabshah, Sukkur and Mirpur Khas were created to appease MQM. If we accept concept of decentralization of powers then question is that why one district of 12 million was created integrating 5 districts in one ? Policy of MQM is dividing Sindh on ethnic lines which sindhis will never allow. Now Karachi and Hyderabad are no more cities of 70 and 80s. There is lot of demographic change. In last 20 years millions of Sindhis have been moved to Karachi and Hyderabad due to unemployment in rural Sindh and population growth. MQM is trying to stop that process which is impossible now. MQM is threating PPP but they should think that any clash with Sindh would not be in the interests of MQM and Urdue speaking permanent residents of Sindh. On other hand If PPP government will not resolve the problem then they will loose vote bank. Ishaq Tunio

Ishaq Tunio | 14 years ago | Reply Karachi and Hyderabad are important cities of Sindh developed with Sindh s resources before partition. Since 1947 local migrants and immigrants are trying to root out Sindhis from both cities and policy of ethnic cleansing of Sindhis is visible . During the dictatorial regime of General Mushraf MQM was given free hand in Karachi and Hyderabad.Constituencies were created deviding Sindhis votes in a way that they could not get democratic represention , Karachi was created one district combining 5 districts of more than 12 million population and Hyderabad 2 million population was devided in three districts main reason of decentralization of power to lower level was given . Then government of Dr Arbab Raheem did not pay attention to protests of Sindhis ( majority of population protested against Hyderabad s division even PPP and Syed Qaim Ali Shah were part of that protest) There were also Talukas like Nawabshah, Sukkur and Mirpur Khas were created to appease MQM. If we accept concept of decentralization of powers then question is that why one district of 12 million was created intigrating 5 districts in one ? Policy of MQM is dividing Sindh on ethnic lines which sindhis will never allow. Now Karachi and Hyderabad are no more cities of 70 and 80s. There is lot of demographic change. In last 20 years millions of Sindhis have been moved to Karachi and Hyderabad due to unemployment in rural Sindh and population growth. MQM is trying to stop that process which is impossible now. MQM is threating PPP but they should think that any clash with Sindh would not be in the interests of MQM and Urdue speaking permanant residents of Sindh. On other hand If PPP government will not resolve the problem then they will loose vote bank. Ishaq Tunio

Ali Haider | 14 years ago | Reply No doubt there will be riots. Altaf Hussain will make sure there is enough disruption on the streets!! He and his party is good at it!!!

ArsalanKh | 14 years ago | Reply The non serious behaviour of PPP towards local bodies election then the statement to make Hyderabad District again shows that they want to take power into their hands by any mean.

Zahid | 14 years ago | Reply I think MQM is right and this is being done only for PPP votebank purpose because in the next election they are out of the scene.

Nadia | 14 years ago | Reply PM Gilani is waiting for an annswer from sherry rehman! if she says yes he will go ahead with the decision.

Tanzeel | 14 years ago | Reply I am expecting another U turn from PPP.

Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply In a coalition government no one has an upper hand and any decision taken should be consulted with the coalition partners in advance. The matter has now moved beyond the two ministers of Sindh. Now MQM is pointing fingers towards the PM. I am sure that Mr. Zardari would be able to remove the misunderstanding as he has been doing it in the past, to keep the coalition government intact. All political parties must understand one thing clearly that MQM has the real street power in Karachi and in other parts of Sindh where Urdu speaking people are dominating. So any decision or statement made in the future should be discussed with MQM at length so that no misunderstanding should be created between the coalition partners.

Rida Salman | 14 years ago | Reply Sick of this pose of his..SICK!!

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