“Sometimes a leader struggling for the rights of oppressed people and following his mission is imprisoned in his own city, thus being compelled to stay physically away from his people,” an MQM statement quoted party chief Altaf Hussain as saying. PHOTO: APP/FILE
According to a release from the MQM, Altaf addressed office bearers and workers at zonal offices in Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad through a telephonic address.
During the address, the MQM chief said that while he was physically away from Pakistan, “spiritually he has always remained amongst his people”.
“Sometimes a leader struggling for the rights of oppressed people and following his mission is imprisoned in his own city, thus being compelled to stay physically away from his people,” the statement read.
Altaf gave the examples from his personal struggle that he faced difficult, and on occasion testing times, with false and fabricated cases, imprisonment, but he never compromised on his principles and beliefs. He added that in time he was vindicated and that “arrests, false cases and difficulties of imprisonment are part of the struggle.”
The statement added that “even if the British Police arrests him [Altaf], party members and supporters must remain committed and determined as their leader is innocent and is not afraid of confinement or any other action.”
MQM above ethno-linguistic divides
Altaf’s address came ahead of the by-elections stipulated for August 22.
The MQM chief stressed that his party is not against any ethno-linguistic group or community – and respects the rights of all. He highlighted that in the past a Sindhi speaking MQM candidate had been elected into the parliament from the Urdu-speaking dominated Azizabad in Karachi and now a Baloch has been elected from the same area which, Altaf claimed, demonstrates that the MQM is not against anyone.
Altaf took the opportunity to make a swipe at Sindh based nationalist parties claiming that leaders of such parties merely raise slogans of Sindh dharti (motherland) to show their love for Sindhis.
Addressing the people of Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas, MQM’s chief said that that if they support the MQM, then they must consider themselves to be part of one community. And being part of the community they must unite for attaining their usurped rights.
Poll rigging
Altaf claimed that massive rigging had taken place in the previous election, especially in the rural areas.
He claimed that Mirpurkhas was a stronghold of the MQM, but in previous elections armed persons had occupied polling stations situated in rural areas. He claimed that these armed persons had thrown out polling staff from these polling stations to cast bogus votes in large numbers.
The MQM chief demanded that the Election Commission and the government ensure free and fair elections in Mirpurkhas.
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@Reas Ekberg.: "@Asad: There is a IF there. Dont ignore."
Add "Ands", "butts" as well.
@Reas Ekberg.: "@Asad: There is a IF there. Dont ignore."
But our "bhai" sahab is no mortal being; he receives "visions" so he knows what is coming! Always be ready to be surprised by this great leader of poor and oppressed!
@Reas Ekberg.: "I am a pure professional busy in scientifi researh pursuits. However I do feel pity on people like you my sister."
You can tell someone's gender from their moniker; the academic world is in awe!!
@Aysha M: "South Asia has not seen anything like MQM which grew out of a student organization,"
What does "Talib" mean? Does Taliba'an, Mullah Omar sound familiar?
@aaaaa: I dont know about your schooling. No one would believe that a political party that wins in elections for not less than nine times can be terrorist. The support of MQM is most sought after. Even the ideals of aaaaa or aaaaaaa associate them as partners. Every political party was terrorist.
In the elections they contested on each seat in Punjab. They did not win a seat. They knew it. Do the terrorists contest and win also.
The ruling elite in Pakistan can conveniently foresee their doomsday in MQM. MQM is not only existing for not less than 3 decades, it is progressing as well.
I aam sure I am not supporter of any political party in Pakistan. I am a pure professional busy in scientifi researh pursuits. However I do feel pity on people like you my sister.
@Aysha M:
"in a decade or two life and leadership of Altaf Hussain will be made a part of academic discourse in universities."
Indeed, it will be in the 'how-to-deal-with-terrorists' bit for the 92 operation, or the 'how-to-collect-bhatta-like-a-pro' in the extortion bit, 'how-to-knock-off-journos' bit, 'how-to-always-stay-in-power-while-accomplishing-nothing' bit. Oh this could go on for a while.
@Asad: There is a IF there. Dont ignore.
MQM limits the horizons of Urdu-speaking people to just the Urban area of Sind. MQM has no potential to go beyond such limit. PTI is a better option as it opens new windows for the people of Karachi - a turnover from ethno and linguistic to nationalistic politics.
Altaf Hussain going in background for a while provides PTI opportunity to provide an alternative. Karachites and PTI both should not miss this opportunity.
We can sleep well today in many areas of Pakistan just because of MQM. Thank you bhai.
How can Mr. Altaf Hussain says that he could be arrested when the arrest warrant has not been issued the London Metropolitian Policc?
Such statements create uncertainty among the workers who will get upset whether he will be arrested or not.
Even if Mr. Altaf Hussain is arrested, he will be arrested for a day or so for questioning and then he will be released again and he will be back to his palatial house in London.
@aaaaa: Trials and tribulations are a part of a genuine leader's life. Altaf Hussain would soldier on and his party will continue to struggle following the vision of the leader. MQM will survive no matter how ugly things are made for them. South Asia has not seen anything like MQM which grew out of a student organization, in a decade or two life and leadership of Altaf Hussain will be made a part of academic discourse in universities.
@aaaaa: MQM's conviction, sincerity & truth will survive
Keep Calm and Celebrate!!!!
Trials and tribulations are a part of a genuine leader's life. Altaf Hussain would soldier on and his party will continue to struggle following the vision of the leader. MQM will survive no matter how ugly things are made for them. South Asia has not seen anything like MQM which grew out of a student organization, in a decade or two life and leadership of Altaf Hussain will be made a part of academic discourse in universities.
Oho looks like Rehman-Altaf negociations failed! Rehman Malik is going to disclose the credentials of the 2 arrested in Imran Farooq case. There we go.....
remain committed, not go off and distribute too many sweets.
so he is actually suggesting that the British government is fabricating cases against him lol buss kerlaaay bhai!
MQM demanding a free and fair election? Oh the irony!
And which dedicated "karkun" not heed the advice to get "committed?" He is "leading" the way by example!
"advised his followers, sympathisers and party workers to remain “committed......”
And why would his "followers" and "sympathizers" not heed his advice to be "COMMITTED." He is LEADING the way and "walking the walk! What a "TRUE" and "COMMITTED" leader!"
Committed and determined in what exactly? What is the purpose of MQM's existence? If its against Feudalism, then they themselves have made the mockery of their purpose by siding with feudalism all their existence.
To me it seems like "committed and determined" to keep creating havoc for the common people of Karachi.
Shame.
Dont worry Bhai. We know it. People wishing against you are already frustrated as nothing came out against you in last three four months.
"If" he gets arrested or "when" he gets arrested
going, going.....
Justice must be served