Crisis management: Altaf calls for dialogue to end standoff in capital
Warns that any confrontation would inevitably result in martial law
KARACHI:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday appealed for dialogue to resolve the political crisis in the country.
According to a statement issued by the party’s London office, Altaf also cautioned that any confrontation would inevitably result in martial law in Pakistan. Altaf insisted that military intervention in government affairs will only weaken the crux of democracy in the country.
The MQM is a democratic party and will never support martial law in Pakistan, he said.
Speaking at the 18th Annual Convention of his party’s US chapter, Altaf said both the government and the protesting parties should show some degree of flexibility to address the country’s problems through constitutional reforms.
“It is good to negotiate after a fight. Why not focus on resolving the crisis through dialogue from the outset?”
The MQM chief said that a clash would have occurred in Lahore prior to the march had his party not called for reconciliation between the party and the government. Altaf said his party managed to pacify the parties and prevent a skirmish that could have resulted in the loss of many lives.
Altaf lauded the government’s efforts to combat militancy through the military offensive in North Waziristan.
“Finally, the army and the people are on the same page regarding terrorism. The armed forces are rendering supreme sacrifices in the fight against terrorists, he said.
At this critical juncture, it is important for the government to prioritise dialogue over any form of conflict as it could have severe consequences in the long run.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2014.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday appealed for dialogue to resolve the political crisis in the country.
According to a statement issued by the party’s London office, Altaf also cautioned that any confrontation would inevitably result in martial law in Pakistan. Altaf insisted that military intervention in government affairs will only weaken the crux of democracy in the country.
The MQM is a democratic party and will never support martial law in Pakistan, he said.
Speaking at the 18th Annual Convention of his party’s US chapter, Altaf said both the government and the protesting parties should show some degree of flexibility to address the country’s problems through constitutional reforms.
“It is good to negotiate after a fight. Why not focus on resolving the crisis through dialogue from the outset?”
The MQM chief said that a clash would have occurred in Lahore prior to the march had his party not called for reconciliation between the party and the government. Altaf said his party managed to pacify the parties and prevent a skirmish that could have resulted in the loss of many lives.
Altaf lauded the government’s efforts to combat militancy through the military offensive in North Waziristan.
“Finally, the army and the people are on the same page regarding terrorism. The armed forces are rendering supreme sacrifices in the fight against terrorists, he said.
At this critical juncture, it is important for the government to prioritise dialogue over any form of conflict as it could have severe consequences in the long run.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2014.