Sindh

MQM slams US for Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s sentence

Altaf Hussain deems the US responsible for the unrest in the world, and demands the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

Express September 29, 2010

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain deemed the United States responsible for the unrest in the world, demanding the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

Hussain addressed the scores of people, estimated to be 300,000 by the MQM, who gathered on his call at MA Jinnah road, near Tibet centre, on Tuesday to condemn an American court’s verdict of Siddiqui’s case.

On September 23, she was sentenced to 86 years in prison on seven charges, including the attempt to murder US military personnel.

The rally was declared successful as members of MQM-opposing groups including the Sunni Tehreek and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam also participated in the rally. Representatives of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Karachi Bar Association, trade unions also joined to condemn the verdict of Dr Siddiqui’s case.

Claiming that Siddiqui is innocent, Hussain demanded her release. “The Americans are responsible for what they have done to the world. America has killed innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he decried.

“The allegations against Dr Siddiqui are false as they could not prove them. America is answerable [not Dr Siddiqui],” he said, slamming the US. Hussain claimed that ninety percent of the world’s population is against the US and its policies.

The MQM showed solidarity with Dr Siddiqui’s cause in more than one way - representatives of MQM’s Rabita Committee were sitting with Dr Siddiqui’s sister, Fauzia Siddiqui. Altaf Hussain called for a united stand on Dr Siddiqui’s case, urging all civil society groups to join in the “struggle”. “Dr Aafia is the daughter of the nation and a symbol of pride [as she] stood courageously and faced the trial. It was exemplary to see a Muslim woman not give up and fight,” Hussain claimed.

Security arrangements

A few hours before the rally, men in yellow caps guarded the entry and exit points of the venue, while a heavy contingent of police and other law enforcing agencies were also deployed. MQM’s security personnel searched each and every participant of the rally at the entrance. The police was seen on the roofs of buildings around MA Jinnah road while the paramilitary Rangers took their resistant positions after the rally ended.

Rallies across Sindh

Several rallies were organised in various parts of the province to protest against Dr Siddiqui’s sentence. Activists of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Muslim Students Federation held a demonstration outside the Hyderabad Press Club to condemn the sentence. Protesters shouted slogans against the verdict and claimed that the government has not taken the issue seriously.

Meanwhile, in Sukkur, a rally was led by Qutubud Din, the MQM Sukkur Zone incharge, during which protesters marched from Jinnah Chowk to the press club. Activists of the Sunni Tehreek and the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz also participated in the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (8)

Anwwar Khatak | 14 years ago | Reply @ANWAR: I'm surprised to see those who opposed Ex-President Pakistan Gen. (R) Pervaiz Musharaf for being a dictator and liar, are referencing him in this case. One thing you should have to decide first before commenting and that is either you believe him or not. When he says in his various interviews to TV channels that, he's the best ruler in the history of Pakistan after Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, you people deny this. But when he says something like you mentioned, in order to increase the sales of his book, you people accept that without thinking a minute, isn't this double standards..? One thing I must mention here is Pervaiz Musharaf said in his book " In The Line Of Fire" that he sold Pakistanis to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and get paid for this. You must search for this fact on any platform that only American CIA ( Central Investigation Agency) can pay for any prisoners like this, that means FBI has no such authentication to "Purchase" someone like Musharaf mentioned. and that is the evidence of the fact that Pervaiz Musharaf has lied many times in his book "In The Line of Fire". But if you still believe Pervaiz Musharraf that so much, then you have to believe his companions as well. The Federal Interior Minister (2002-2004) Faisal Sawleh Hayat clearly mentioned in his last 2 ( 1 with Hamid Mir Geo News, 1 with Dr. Shahid Masood ARY News) discussions on Aafia's matter that, she wasn't arrested from Pakistan and he can prove this fact anywhere in the world. Now what do you say about selling Pakistanis to NATO or CIA..?? Now, if this theory about Aafia is wrong that she was arrested / kidnapped from Pakistan, then you have no such authority to blame anyone especially MQM and its Quaid e Tehreek Respected Altaf Hussain, but you have to thank them for holding the largest rally in this matter and to warn American establishment to change their policies for Pakistan and release Aafia Siddiqui. After that rally, Americans are in deep thought to release her and that can only be done when MQM demands with so much courage. If you still have something to share in this matter, I'm waiting.

Inqilab Patel | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistani Political & Religious has made a attitude of always criticizing MQM even for its good deeds. It was never proved that Dr. Afia was arrested in Karachi. Even though, every one knows very well that Pakistani foreign policies of supporting America are not prepared by MQM. Please remove your optics of Tassub from your eyes and see MQM.

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ANWAR | 14 years ago | Reply Thanks good;after a long time mqm think about pakistani daugther but even i will say purly karachi sister because she caugth from karachi in the presence of mqm governer and mqm home minister.it is impssible that those two peoples dont no about afia arrest and and transfer to afghanistan.mr mushrraf was president and he admitted in his book he and his allies sold pakistani muslims to US and other country so how it can be possible that mqm was unawere of afia arrest.know in london after imran farooq murder finger are raising again towards his own party so to divert public and mqm workers attention altaf hussain ance again create drama.there shuold be investigation that who gets how many dollars by selling afia.on the other side those who watch altaf WEEPING live on tv they can easily understand how he broke the record of HOOLYWOOD ACTERS.

Sultan Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Elected government of Pakistan that is part of the campaign against insurgency under the leadership of prime minister Gilany saying ' ''Afia Siddiqi is a daughter of the nation' American government should consider it seriously and take a step against the injustice done by the court in New York. Agitation has begun in Pakistan it mat extend to all corner of the country and create some difficulties for the government which support American standpoint in regard to terrorism in the world especially in South Asian region, where American and Nato Armed forces are stationed if it goes then a new set up will come with new view which may be against the American policies in the region. So Obama administration should reconsider the case of Afia Siddiqi and release her by exercising his constitutional powers. Time is running out, step must be taken in time.

Anwar Khatak | 14 years ago | Reply This MQM is doing so much good in the past 5-6 years for the downtrodden Pakistanis all over the globe. I'm not their worker but I've seen them working here in Lahore and found them loving and caring, and more disciplined. I think this is the best time to show the west that we care for our citizens more than they have assumed. And with this kind of record breaking rallies in the largest city of Islamic World, the metropolitan city of Karachi is only possible by the efforts of MQM. Their Leader Altaf Hussain has shown an undisputed courage when he lives in London and warns Britain Prime Minister not to talk against Pakistan, He has also opposed Americans to stay out of Pakistan's interior matters and to change their policies in the region. I think, we all should appreciate Altaf Hussain's & MQM's stance in this regard and wish that we could have such a leadership in the country as well...!

Sultan Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply There was no documentary proof in the record, no circumstantial evidence, eyewitnesses are interested being a member of the agency, totally case has been made on guess and doubt. The fact attributed to the case is that she has wrongly been convicted, so Obama administration should take notice of this injustice and order her release forthwith.

Liaquat Ali | 14 years ago | Reply Is that an original banner from the rally or the Tribune newspaper put it up? If it is from the MQM rally, then MQM seems to have learned to have English banners to show to the International community.

Inqilab Patel | 14 years ago | Reply Thank you for raising the matter of Dr. Afia Siddiqui in a grate manner throughout the country. You gave the people their sound. It is the duty of all Pakistanis to protest against the cruel sentence to a lady. I don't think that any lady was given such a cruel sentence in the cultured western society before Dr. Adia.

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