"Taliban and their supporters are present all over the country," he said. "Operation Zarb-e-Azb should be carried out in other parts [of the country], too." He called for the arrest of Maulana Abdul Aziz, the cleric of Lal Masjid, for sympathising with the Taliban and demanded the army burn or close down Jamia Hafsa.
Hussain was addressing a large gathering of his workers at Tibet Centre as part of the MQM's 'National Solidarity Rally' organised in support of the Pakistan Army and the Peshawar victims, and against the terrorists. "If Pakistan has to be saved, then Taliban need to be eliminated," he said, calling the Taliban 'beasts', 'terrorists', and 'infidels'.
Addressing the militants, he said that the MQM will fight against them. "We will all die but won't let you live," he said, adding that if schools are attacked in Karachi, then the people would come out and fight against them.
The MQM chief paid tribute to the Army for fighting against the terrorists, and expressed solidarity with the families of the victims. "Imagine, if your younger brother or son was the one to be killed and you were waiting for him to return," he said addressing the gathering, his tone turning emotional. He said that the rally was not of the MQM alone, but represented the whole country.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2014.
COMMENTS (7)
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@LanguageBorders: You are dead right!!!!!!The number of comments here prove your point. On such an important issue as it is, we are not ready to raise our voices just because Altaf Hussain is here. This is really deplorable.
@True Karachiwala: You guys have no idea how big a barrier Language is in Punjab. If you cant speak or not from there... it don't matter what your cause is. A Punjabi speaking TTP member is still more welcome than a peace loving non-Punjabi from Karachi. If IK from Mianwali with little accent couldn't get unbiased judgement from Punjab courts, who are you sir? You have to tell it's from Punjab & for Punjab for a cause to flourish. They only believe in their own kind no matter how bad is he. Its a Very very thick Forest of Racial belief there. No institution is free from it, regardless. You just cant cross it!
Altaf Hussain is the only leader who has been clearly stating the facts for a long time, but it's shameful that his forewarning were not paid heed to and we were ready to let this carnage go on. Massacre of these innocent kids and numerous others is the direct result of criminal silence, collusion, inaction by the beneficiaries of pre-poll rigging i.e.PML N, PTI, JI, JUI and other terrorist organizations. Now COAS has also asked the citizens to help eliminate these terrorists by imparting information about them as AH has been doing for quite some time. Please be clear, vocal, active against this menace to make this Pakistan a Qauid's Pakistan. Let not overcome inhuman indifference of these Talibaan apologists our will to survive and move forward.
If the operation will start in karachi,then MQM will be the first to complain.
I find my self agreeing with Altaf Hussain,that doesent happen too often.Good on you for the stance
There should be a second province in Sindh. Where these savages will not be allowed to exist. And will be eliminated. There are too many TTP and extremist sympathizers in this country. They support, help and aid and abet these animals. A separate province where they willnot b be allowed to thrive, to exist, or tolerated. Enough is enough.
I am with MQM on this one. Yes extend the Army operation to Punjab. Among arrested should be the accomplice of the terrorists too such as Rana Sanaullah and other PML N operatives.