“We want a system where the country is not just governed by a few elite families, but by the middle-class,” says Sattar. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the key coalition partner in the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government, decided on Sunday to attend the “million-man” march of Dr Tahirul Qadri, the founder of the Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI) on January 14 in Islamabad.
“To help the country get rid of corruption, injustice and feudalism, the MQM will participate in the long march along with Tahirul Qadri and his party Minhajul Quran,” Deputy Convener of the MQM Coordination Committee Dr Farooq Sattar told an emergency press briefing at the party headquarters Nine Zero in Karachi. Thousands of MQM workers would participate in MQI’s rally, he added.
“We want a system which gives political and socio-economic rights to the poor. We want a system where the country is not just governed by a few elite families, but by the middle-class,” Dr Sattar said, adding that Dr Qadri’s goal was one that MQM chief Altaf Hussain had been struggling for years to achieve.
“We have been fighting to bring a revolution where the poor are not deprived of their rights. But our efforts were crushed and thousands of our workers ended up losing their lives,” he said.
Dr Sattar went on to add that the decision to participate in the “long march” was taken after a joint meeting of the Coordination Committee in both London and Karachi. “We hope the march will strengthen our movement for a country where justice prevails, and where menaces such as corruption are eliminated,” he said and appealed to party activists to participate in the long march.
Soon after the MQM announcement, Dr Qadri called up Altaf Hussain. He said that he would personally visit Nine Zero to thank the party for its support to the long march. The MQM chief assured Dr Qadri of his full cooperation for bringing a change in the country. Hussain said time to bring a change in the country has come.
Khurshid Shah’s take
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khursheed Shah said that the government would not stop Dr Qadri from organising the “million-man” march to the capital, and that the MQI leader is free to fulfil his wishes. Talking to the media in Peshawar after offering condolences to Ghulam Ahmed Bilour on the death of his brother, Khursheed Shah said the masses would decide the fate of the “long march”.
(With additional reporting by our correspondent in Peshawar)
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2012.
COMMENTS (22)
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Please make sure you go to Islamabad, we want you to do some exercise so that Oxygen starts getting into your lungs and then to your brains!!!
What logic is this? Stay as a part of the govt for 5 years, reap the benefits and when elections are near protest against it while still being a part of the very system.
Oh dear MQM !! ----- You can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
Why the punjabis are so allergic to MQM ? Tens and Thousands of them are living in Karachi and earning their livelihood without any hindrance .Is this some kind of racial hatred ?
@omar: and make Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore look alike???? Right???? (P.S) Although still there is not huge difference but a 'something is still better than nothing Sir'
Why didnt any Journalist ask MQM leader what is their shared vision? Allama Tahir Ul Qadri is supporting Election reforms but we all know who opposed delimitation and voter verification in Karachi? Even Mr.Altaf Hussain have been issued contempt on the basis of his criticism on Judiciary and ECP's reform order. Aint they both at extremes? Allama sb should also answer how MQM fits in this equation of election reform?Otherwise this creates confusion for nation. Am I right?
@ Khuram, Are the doctors, engineers and teachers doing their jobs honestly and best of their abilities? Our elected leaders are reflection of ourselves. You are joking or you don't live in Pakistan.
Mqm is a key ally of every new centre of power in Pakistan.
Respect to MQM for supporting the truth. I think we should all wake up and listen attentively to what Dr Qadri has said and stand for the future of Pakistan. Why do we not want good clean middle class doctors/engrs/teachers representing us. Why do we have to have these lootarey gangsters ruling us and defrauding us on the name of democracy The existing democracy is for the corrupt people to hold hostage the common man. Please wake up we are fed up with this system and corrupt politicians and WE WANT CHANGE.
I must add that only MQM can do this.
MQM has been the equall partner of the government and now wants to gte rid of corruption, how shmeful is. First loot the nation and then SALUTE to other influential individual or group. Does democracy suite to this ocountry,where politicians have always care about their personal existance and interests. Ayub Khan rightly siad, that politicinas are not trustworthy, clever and play with innocent, illiterate people, so democracy is not for the poor people in Pakistan".
Only MQM has the nerves to protest against its own government. Keep standing back of TQ, when he points his fingure towards Parliament and talks about misdeeds of last five years.
MQM, PTI and Tahirul Qadri shoudl all walk and take over Lahore and Islamabad.
It is not shared or common vision but common masters who are pulling their strings.
Where are principles, ideologies and vision in Pakistani politics. For vested interests, key Govt Ally who have been enjoying all perks and privileges of government for last 5 years is going to attend Long March against its own government. This is sheer hypocrisy. MQM governor and Ministers are enjoying all powers and authority both in center and in Sindh. MQM share the same burden of poor governance with all other government parties, how come they can run away from accountability. With such a show, people cant be fooled. Enough with fake politics.
"Shared Vision" - Would MQM leadership be so kind to tell the nation that what is their 'vision' and how is it 'shared' with that of Dr. Qadri. Does MQM also want to get rid of corruption, looting and lawlessness - then, - What about Karachi? Where it is a part of government and the city is nothing more than a valley of death! - What about the federal government where it is a key coalition partner of the Govt. for last four and a half-year! It seems that MQM is not deluding the people of Pakistan, but themselves through these kind of political stunts! And as far as Dr. Qadri is concerned, if he accepts such offers, he's by himself nothing more than a slyboots who would be manipulating the feelings of masses who consider him to be truthful and honest, and donating millions of rupees in the name of religion!
Hypocrite MQM, they are part of the govt but don't want to accept the blame for the problems created in last 5 years. Instead of joining Tahir-ul-Qadri why are they not taking initiative to reform the electoral process?
CONFUSING :) Cannot comprehend Altaf Hussain. Hez in Govt but wants sum1 else to change governance. Runs the system but wishes others to improve it. Says hates Jagidars but supports them by vote & phone. Mind Boggling I say...
Altaf Altaf...PTI should also join this march..then Imran-Altaf would be the perfect combination to over throw this govt.
Just wait for a phone call from the President or a visit from Mr Rehman Malik and we will have a u turn on joining the long march.
Please go to Islamabad via Lahore.
How can a political party align itself with an individual who says he is antipolitics?