The chairperson and founder of the TSH, Baba Haider Zaman, said that if their demands were not met and they were not given their rights, the party would retaliate in the same way as the Baloch. “If the rulers want to save Pakistan and are loyal to the people, then they should allow the demands for new provinces.” While criticising Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Zaman said that he should leave his post. “Gilani says that a Seraiki province would be made. Does he only represent that particular area?” questioned Zaman.
He also pointed a finger at the judiciary for taking suo motu notices of other cases while what he said was neglecting the people of Hazara who were killed during the movement for a separate province. “The TSH is a registered political party created for the protection of rights of the 3.5 million people of Hazara.”
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was praised for supporting the cause of the Hazara people. “The MQM took a stand when our own people didn’t. In return, the party has our support,” said Zaman.
The THS general secretary, Fida Hussain, said that Pakistan was created to ensure the rights of all people. “This country was not created for corruption and suppressing people. We have made a deal with the MQM to rid Pakistan of corrupt rulers and make it a free state in the true sense.”
Hussain claimed that the TSH would emerge as one of the biggest party in the region in the upcoming general elections. Major Mohammad Kayani, one of the party leaders, lashed out at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and former president Pervez Musharraf. Calling the PTI chief ‘Inqilab Khan’, Kayani alleged that Imran Khan gathered people for his rally at the same location by giving them money. “Imran Khan collected funds from people in the name of his hospital but when people needed his help, he did not pay any heed to them. He should stop deluding the Pakistani youth.”
Earlier, Zaman visited the MQM’s headquarters on Saturday. Following a telephonic talk between him and the MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, the party announced its full support to the THS rally. Participants at the rally were holding the TSH green and red flag while dancing to Hindko songs. MQM activists and supporters also attended the rally and were holding MQM flags while shouting slogans of Jeay Muttahida.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2012.
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