Says like Jinnah, he was forced to acquire British passport; workers counsel him against returning to Pakistan.
Almost all speculations regarding Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief’s “political drone” strike were proved wrong on Thursday.
Despite widespread criticism, the MQM will continue to support and participate in Dr Tahirul Qadri’s “million-man” march at any cost.
Altaf Hussain has no plans of returning to Pakistan.
For the most part, Altaf’s much-anticipated drone attack was historical and political reasoning justifying his British passport.
In a two-and-a-half-hour telephonic address from London at the Lal Qila ground on Thursday, the MQM chief asserted that his party will take part in Dr Qadri’s long march because no law prevented them from criticising the government while being a part of the administration.
He complained that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and other political and religious parties have held long marches in the past but only MQM was being criticised for their participation in the march.
Justifying British passport
In an apparent justification for possessing a British passport, Altaf pointed out that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah himself possessed “a British passport” and his oath as the first governor general of the country demanded his loyalty to the then British King George VI.
“Those who are calling me a traitor for possessing a British passport, I want to tell them that Jinnah had a British passport. He took oath of serving the British under forceful circumstances. I also have a British passport because I was forced to.”
He claimed that those who possess dual nationalities were as loyal as the citizens in one’s homeland.
Whilst party workers distributed copies of Jinnah’s passport, Altaf said that the first suicide attack in the country took place on him in December 1991. “I escaped the attack, but my life was in danger and everyone advised me to go. I did not leave Pakistan because I wanted to. I left because I had to.”
He then asked the chief justice to reconsider the apex court decision against dual nationality. “Those who have dual citizenship are not traitors. No one wants to leave the country out of their free will. They do because of life threatening situations.”
Supporting the Minhaj-ul-Quran chief, Altaf said that Qadri’s dual nationality should not be doubted.
In a dramatic fashion, he said: “For 22 years, I have been in exile. Not a single day goes by [without me] wishing I was back in my country.”
He then asked his party workers whether he should return home.
On behalf of the gathering, MQM Deputy Convener Farooq Sattar replied, “Bhai, the situation of Karachi is in front of you. Please don’t come back.”
He said that by stating such facts about Jinnah, he was not accusing the founder of the nation. “I am just stating that what he did was under compulsion. I was also forced to leave the country and acquire a British passport in order to seek refuge. It is not my fault that I am not friends with the Saudi prince like Nawaz Sharif is.”
Local body elections
Earlier in his address, the MQM chief demanded the local body system to be restored. “The local body elections are the primary school for breeding democracy. If floods come, no parliamentarian would ever visit the affected people. Only the councillor will do that.”
In a stern warning to the ruling party, he said that the PPP wanted to make Sindhi nationalists happy by not introducing the local body elections, but they should know that, “If Urdu speaking people are hurt, they would be forced to raise slogans for a separate province. And we never want that.”
He said that although Urdu speaking Sindhis don’t want the division of Sindh, opposition of local government system could lead them to call for the province’s division.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2013.
COMMENTS (30)
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Do all Sindhi brothers, you all very hurriedly supported the Division of Punjab. Not one year has passed and look MQM has put forward the threat of Division of Sind.
@Rizwan: I live outside Pakistan and send money home and i havent changed my nationality. majority of the remittances to Pakistan come from the Gulf and the majority of them are still Pakistani Nationals as Gulf States do not give permament residencies. You seem to be very educated so please go one with your support of the person who doesnt even realize that Quaid-e-Azam took oath of office under Indian Independence Act and not under constitution of Pakistan. He had British passport because there was no Pakistani passport before 1947.
@B+: Is Altaf Bhai also sending money to Pakistan? I thought the contrary might be true.
@ asad: Bhai soch hai aapki (ufone styled)... Please re-read what i posted earlier...
"....MQM will continue to support and participate in Dr Tahirul Qadri’s “million-man” march at any cost" (Unless PPP makes an offer that is too good to turn down). Offer made, Offer accepted; MQM has started marching backward. :)
Altaf said a suicide attack took place on him, he escaped the attack and left his country, because his life was in danger plus everyone advised him to go. Can he think for himself or must he depend on others advice? he's isn't showing any leadership qualities by his actions.
Then he thinks of himself and leaves saving his skin. What about the millions of Pakistanis who face constant DANGER in every day life thanks to egoistic politicians like him?
Are the politicians in power to think for themselves or lead the country to a better future and to improve lives for every citizen in this country? He surely doesn't sound like a leader, asking his party workers whether he should return home.
He should come back and risk his own life without any security guards to perceive how it is for a normal Pakistani citizen to survive under the dangerous life threatening conditions created by such politics!
@Asifa Jamal: I fully agree
The most un reliable partner in Politics. PPP will soon purchase his loyalties if any?
@sabi: i Agree
A disgraceful attempt to draw the great Quaid-e-Azam into this controversy. The Quaid left the comfort of England to return to India and lead the Muslims struggle for their homeland. Altaf Hussain has left Pakistan for the safety and comfort of London, and could not care less about the millions of Karachiites who suffer daily from violence in which his own party has had a role to play.
His speech is full of drama. Altaf is trying to only justify to his nationality. If he thinks, he is a leader and has any sympathy for Pakistan. Come to Pakistan but he will never come .........
@B+..
no they are not traitors. The one who holds a dual nationality should not be called a "traitor". But the one who holds dual nationality only to Hide and run from the law should be called a traitor. or the person who claims himself a Leader and holds a dual nationality should be called a traitor also. when you call youserl a leader you should match with the people who follows you.
@sohail..
for which ever sake they are sending. Remittances are the second major source of foreign exchange earnings in Pakistan after exports. Foreign remitters represents the Big portion of our revenue by sending Foreign currency in to Pakistan, if the remittances stopped or even decrease by a huge percent. Our economy will be colapsed at once.
@B+
No it doesn't by default and stop telling pakistanis the money we (dual nationals like I) send to pak is out of love of pak, i send money for my family (immediate) and some charity projects. I personally do a lot more for pak (monetary and otherwise) because I feel owe to pak. Dual nationals who think they doing favor to pak should renounce Pak citizenship themselves. All time state should do this and that how about do something yourself for once.
Why Altaf Hussain is making Quaid-e-Azam a controversial person. Every Pakistani respects our Quaid-e-Azam but Altaf Hussain is makig conspiracies against him. Shame for Altaf.
MQM has been a secular party and joined the secular democratic coalition. One can only wish they stay secular and do not join any mullah. Now they have no difference between them and other rightwing parties.
Although I'm not an MQM supporter, I fully agree on his/MQM's stance on local government system...
Using the work Traitor for a dual national is a wrong word. But sitting outside Pakistan and enjoying all the facilities and saying that Yet i want to rule Pakistan, forcefully and destroying PEACE & normal Electoral methods is some thing which is not allowed. I will request Bhai to come back to Pakistan.................
Shame for this person who is comparing himself with Quaid-e-Azam. Shame for Altaf Hussain.
@ B+: very humbly the money of dual nationals which they are sending back to pakistan is intended for the use of their family/loved ones or business transactions for the betterment of their personal sake yet it still "accidentially" adds to the benifit of Pakistan. I dont think that even 1 % of those dual nationals send money for Pakistan's sake.
ultimate comedy!
When Afaq Ahmed was released from prison, I knew that there would be a conspiracy to create a Mohajir province, or even a separate homeland for the Mohajirs. It is so sad to see that south Sindh will be separated, and there is nothing our leaders can do about it.
Altaf Hussain has made a good point, however, our under educated population does not understand what he is trying to say. Millions of Pakistanis who live overseas have dual nationalities, and they are a major component of Pakistan's economy... is their loyalty to Pakistan in question as well? If so, then pass a law which forbids dual national Pakistani's from sending money to Pakistan. I will vote for MQM, I don't like their policies 100%, but they are definitely a very educated party.
@B+...Don't use language of your Altaf. He used the word traitor whereas Courts never used this word. Courts and constitution is absolutely right in this regard. People go to Pakistan take part in election and then return to their chosen countries. They don't serve the people of their constituency.
@Mehran: I think secretly the situation has gone beyond the province stage. In reality, the stage is being set for the creation of the Republic of Mohajirstan - Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas. And those who think that anyone can stop this, are living in a fantasy land, as major world powers have already endorsed this new state. MQM will be the big winners in the end game, I predicted this almost 10 years ago.
If having a dual nationality makes you traitor then over 2 million Pakistani's living abroad are traitors and those traitors are sending millions of dollars to Pakistan which is helping the economy to sustain. I think we should cancel their Pakistani nationality and stop them from sending money to Pakistan.
I have respect for mqm but what they are doing now is beyond my common sense.
altaf bahi donot hide yourself from truth!! you forgot before partition we all were part of british empire so Quid azam lived in england for many years during study and practice law there; he was british citizen before he did not seek british citizenship.
Altaf Hussain lost considerable ground in two ways with his current political drone. 1) By illogical interpretation of Quaid e Azam's oath to justify his British nationality created a wave of dismay and anger in whole Pakistan. 2) MQM gained some grounds in rural Sindh for last few years even hard core nationalists were supportive to Altaf Hussain but statements of Sindh's division with threatening tone will only expose MQM's intentions and will put MQM's graph in negative zone in Sindh. Important thing is no minority can dictate its WILL through force or threats on peaceful majority. He knows that People of Sindh will resist any such move with unity. Pakistan is passing through critical time of history, this is time to making bridges, not walls between Urban and rural Sindh, but seems with current statement, MQM has learnt nothing but it merely changed its name from Mohajir Quami Movement to Muthida Quami Movement but in essence it still behaves like old "Mohajir Quami Movement.