KARACHI:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has apologised for a statement made earlier by him against the Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Wali. The statement had accused Wali of receiving funds from the US.
The statement issued on Monday by the MQM chief read: “I had said that Asfandyar Wali had accepted dollars from the United States, but I had no proof of this. I take back my words and express my sorrow over the offence it may have caused to ANP leaders and workers.” Altaf Hussain said he wanted to end hostilities because Pakistan needed peace and stability, more than anything else, at this juncture.
ANP welcomes statement
Senior ANP leader Haji Adeel has welcomed Altaf Hussain’s statement. Talking to a private TV channel, Adeel said if the MQM chief wanted to end differences, he should hold a dialogue with Pakhtuns and other ethnic groups living in Karachi.
Blast condemnation
The MQM chief also condemned the terrorist attack on SSP Chaudhary Aslam’s residence. He said the attack was a cowardly act and deserved utmost condemnation. He offered his condolences to the families of victims. He said terrorists have been targeting the country’s armed forces because of their performance, while urging the president and the prime minister to take strong notice of the incident. (With additional input from PPI)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2011.
COMMENTS (33)
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Well the series of past events makes me hate more these politicians of ours!! SC takes action, rangers sweep both MQM, ANP and PPP infested areas and catch the so called "target killers" SC reserves their judgement and we begin to see relations "restoring" between all parties!! How long will the people of this country will be fooled. How long will we be the "qurbani ka bakra" for the shameful intentions of these political parties!!
And I would like to take back the statements I made against Altaf bhai.
what was the telethon and the thrill about, then??? ah, God.
@ali: Not at all. The sensible and sentient among them will let better thoughts and actions prevail in the party.
Remember this is a big step taken by the Muttaheda and will go a long way in removing misgivings. Let us pray with all sincerity of heart that this fratricide over ignorance, drugs, land, guns and power play and pelf ends with understanding the value of religious, economic and physical independence.
Please accept my salam.
kudos to altaf bhai
All the thieves always level allegations of theft against against each other but withdraw these allegations once the police arrives. So everybody enjoys his share of pie and there is always a happy ending.
"The statement was issued a day after President Asif Ali Zardari returned from London." I think that was the most important line in this news story.
grate leader one who always apologise if in wrong sataement,every leadr must be like altaf hussain.
Everyone makes mistakes. greater deed is to accept mistakes. The quality of a great leader. Altaf Bhai, please tell your party to send help in flood affected areas. MQM and Karachi's services are always ten times more than other parties and cities, but this time MQM's response is slow. We know MQM is sidelined and sorrounded by enemies, but you know how to deal them. If MQM is not there to help, no one else cares.(I am not a MQM member or Karachite, nor I know anyone in MQM)
Suddenly the parties that were calling each other killers and conspiring to break up the country are now calling each other 'brothers'. But the question is that are things that simple? While they were at each others' throats, scores of nameless ordinary people turned into figures just because the leaders were dividing them on the ethnic lines. What they have to say to the houses that have lost sons to the madness? That this madness will not happen again? That they were wrong in calling each other killers, slaves of the US and trying to break up the country. Or that this cycle of blood and gore will be repeated with the same intensity and brutality, when needed? The political leaders in Karachi have lots to answer for. If they don't have honest answers, their sudden goodwill for each other - at the behest of US or out of the fear of the Supreme Court judgement - is useless and hollow.
Bad boy gone good. :)
Is this a gesture of goodwill for ANP or a u turn by MQM. However if this u turn by MQM reinstates peace in Sindh no worries for it. May Allah Subhan Wa Talla strengthen the tolerance level of all within the country. Ameen
Is he lying now or was he lying earlier when he gave the original statement?
@Mahfooz well reminder "Pehle tolo phir bolo"' Pir Sahib you wasted our time and put MQM prestige at stake.
American check cash hogaya hoga
Just wondering ... What was the purpose of his 5 hour telethon the other day?
There is no life and importance of words :(
A statement a day keeps the doctor away. When I was at school , there was an Urdu lesson 'pehle tolo phir bolo'. we have to learn this lesson again and again and yet again
Wish you also apologize to all who are unable to open their shops, stalls and restaurants in your city. Wish you also apologize to all whose beloved were mercilessly killed in this city of dead on purely ethnic grounds.
i dont get it. mirza accused mqm. mqm instead of getting back to him accused anp or AWK to be precise. and now it all turns out to be hogwash - leading to unity time. why not earlier when many innocent lives were being lost? (and are the differences just a put on?) so who was telling the truth about whom? do they know the meaning of crediblity and integrity? or will it just be 'here we go around the political bush' for selfish reasons? and does anyone realize mirza is quiet. is that a lull of some kind?
Taking apology from political opponents is rare in Pakistan. A good move to move ahead!
What this mean?
Taaaaaaaliyaaaaaaaaaaan!!!!! ab ik statement from ANP ik from Mirza and the long race again...........................
Good gesture by the MQM leader. It should be accepted by ANP leadership and both should now move forward for the sake of the country.
Well done Altaf Bhai! This is a good initiative from you and sets the ball rolling for better and prosperous inter-ethnic harmony and peace among citizens. Please accept my Salam.
Politicians should think before they speak. Too often they apologize after causing damage.
How embarrassing for the MQM workers!
Wow ... This reconciliation thing is great !