KARACHI:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Altaf Hussain asserted on Thursday that his recent appeal to the residents of Karachi to stock up on food rations had been taken ‘out of context’, leading to confusion amongst the general populace.
The statement was given earlier in an impassioned call by the MQM leader, which sought immediate government action to curb the menace of targeted killings within a span of 48 hours.
His appeal triggered panic in the metropolis, as some assumed that it was an indication that violence would further escalate in Karachi, already in the throes of a deadly spate of killings.
Altaf Hussain clarified in the video that he was trying to forewarn people about a possible food shortage because of the worsening law and order situation in the city.
He added that operations carried out in Katti Pahari and Qasba Colony recently had forced residents to remain indoors leading to a severe food crisis in the area.
He also apologised if he had hurt the sentiments of native Sindhis with his remarks on their pre-partition status. He clarified that his speech was only against those who discriminate against Mohajirs on the basis of ethnicity, and were directing insults towards them.
Meanwhile, Sindhi nationalist parties have supported the strike call announced by Awami Tahreek today (Friday) in protest against MQM chief remarks at Lal Qila ground.
Talking to The Express Tribune Awami Tahreek president Ayaz Latif Palijo said that the MQM chief’s statement caused much anger among the people of Sindh.
He added that the demonstration would be peaceful in order to avoid any disturbances in the law and order situation. “Urdu-speaking people are our brothers. But we cannot tolerate such kinds of statements, which can create ethnic violence in the province,” he said.
When asked about Hussain’s apology for the statement, Palijo said “We don’t believe in his dramatic politics and we will campaign against his remarks in order to expose him,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2011.
COMMENTS (33)
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hehehehehe
@TJ: You read his statement. One month Ration instructions is still there but that is only for the areas where there is trouble otherwise no use.
Only he clarified his statement on another topic. So if you are living in troubled area, you still neet ration for one month.
Regards
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg - South Africa
Bhai, what you did, I sold out my bike, my TV and DVD player and got one month rations and now you taken back your statement. Bhia, rehm kar dou plzzzzzzzzzzz..........
btw what did he say about the sindhi people?
@majid maqsood: Every leader has a right to clarify his statement to be read in the correct context. Now we have clarification from Altaf, this must be accepted by all Tom, Dick and Harry as his official statement. He clearly pointed out that he was referring to Zulfiqar Mirza's irresponsible utterness. But I am glad that he has used a very civilized / culured language to condemn him unlike what Zulfiqar Mirza uttered the other day resulting in so many precious lives.
Now we must get along and live peacefully and do our normal business with love and affection.
Regards Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg - South Africa
Welcome Altaf bhi,but there is great need to understand what ppp doing in karachi does not represent whole sindhi Nation, it may be power conflict but for God sake individuals may not be considered the representation of Nation. we are peace loving people and also condomned the statement of Zulifiqar Mirza and reject the strike of Today. MQM has invested a lot in interior of Sindh and it gets familarity but ur statement hurt the people of Sindh. Many hindus have joined mqm but you have degraded hindus too. I hope things would go in the best interest for the people of Sindh.
@Tahir:
I have to disagree it certainly is not the biggest blunder in history.
@nasir: That's what happens when we follow a human being blindly.
And, what was there to be taken out of context? The words were as clear as they could have been. Leaders should know that in this electronic age, words spread faster than the lightning, and sometimes lightening causes wildfires. Better watch before we burn our hands. We were bemoaning the follies of Zulfiqar Mirza and now here is another one.
@QB:
I think you don't know how they win.
Frankly I thought it was some sort of sales campaign for Imtiaz Supermarket.
One should nevertheless store food as some big players are planning events in Karachi that may just necessitate doing so. Read these two interesting posts on this: http://karachitargetkilling.wordpress.com/b and http://karachitargetkilling.wordpress.com/c
Please pir sahib do not make your specch after sunset.
And MQM still wins from Karachi --- I may never understand how --- Karachites are supposed to be educated and modern people.
no comments, you life will be in danger, he issued this statement to create artificial food crises, or another trouble for the poor who were finding it hard to earn a bread for the last 35 years,
"The creation of Pakistan was the biggest blunder in history" yeh that was supposedly taken out of context aswel...
Now I believe what Ch. Nasir said (about him) out side the N.A. building.
pathetic
Well the context isnt much Different from te previous one
@Ziglar.....have you collected one month's ration after selling your TV, Ac, car and other valuables...???. I hope you have.......??
Never mind. It happens that the ‘tongue’ slips some times of all political leaders.
Recently, Pir Mazahar-ul-Haq’s tongue slipped in Provincial Assembly of Sindh and then he apologized to the Speaker. At that time Nisar Khoro was laughing.
By the way when Mr. Altaf Hussain gave notice to arrange food stuff for the whole month, I immediately purchased food for the entire month in advance.
But when Mr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Senior Minister PPP asked people of Karachi to store the food for the entire year, I could not do so, as at that time I was no having enough money to buy food for the whole year.
Why didn’t the political leaders ask people to store the food at their own expense? From MQM side it should Khidmat-e-Khalk which should provide food to store for the entire month and from PPP side, Mr. Zulfiqar Mirza should issue food stamps to the people of Karachi for the entire year.
What ever the context... it worked.... at least today there was no killing in Karachi !
No comments! We live in comfortable and in peace in the west. I will never feel the pain unless I am there
Mosiqar USA
@Ziglar: Till death do us apart.
Tch tch. That's what happens with him ALL the time. Saazshi awam.
Can all the political parties, their leaders, the army men and the honorable members of the judiciary get together and tell us how us poor civilians should live. No water, no power, rising prices. Its better if we were just to move into the Saharan Desert.
out on context? all mqm people were defending his statement on talk shows.Another context of MQM chief. Should explain at first time despite leaving vague.
Pulling trigger of gun without bullet. Thanks for letting us after 'click'.
Mashallah,,,,,,,
Such forward thinking............
:D