Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, while welcoming the ANP for forming defence committees in NWFP against Talibanisation has announced that the people of Sindh will also form “defence committees” to save Karachi from Talibanisation. We Karachiites and people of Sindh reject imposition of baton-wielding and self imposed shariat and Talibanisation of Karachi. MQM will encourage and support the area residents in forming “defence committees”. In unity is victory – with change in our thinking process a lot will change. Mr Hussain reiterated that Sindh is the land of Sufis and Saints and is void of discrimination and Karachi is the capital of Sindh Province. MQM and its leadership have always kept the public well-informed of future threats and apprehensions. Recently in his statements and speeches through newspapers and electronic media he has been warning of the threats, which have come true. Addressing the audience Mr Hussain said that they were called today to attend this hurriedly called session because it was essential to apprise them about the future and that he considered it his national obligation to disclose the facts. He was expressing his views while simultaneously addressing meetings of Defence Clifton Residents Committee and Society Residents Committee. The meetings were also attended by Members of MQM Coordination Committee, Provincial Ministers, Members of National and Provincial Assemblies.
Recalling his statements of last couple of weeks with reference to the political scenario, uncertainty, flight of capital, deteriorating economic condition, worsening law and order situation etc Mr Hussain said that billions of dollars of investment and capital is being shifted from Pakistan to abroad. As a result our currency is weakening against dollar by the day. All stock exchange markets of the country including the Karachi Stock Exchange are falling down. Industries including the textile industry are closing down. Inflation is on the all time high and as a result of unemployment, people are compelled to commit suicide or sell their children.
Mr Hussain said that soon after the Elections of 18th February 2008, the people of Pakistan took a sigh of relief and hoped that everything will be fine, peace will be established and the law and order situation will improve. Instead kidnapping for ransom, robbery, street crimes have increased manifold as compared to the past.
Mr Hussain said that he has been warning of the potential threats at our borders and anything can happen if the government fails to tackle the law and order, control the increasing activities of Talibanisation in tribal areas, control the suicide attacks; and address the issues in FATA, tribal areas, North and South Waziristan. Large number of people including Taliban members from these areas are coming to Karachi and illegally occupying vacant properties and land. This is a well-planned conspiracy to Talibanise Karachi. Mr Hussain asked the audience if they were in favour of Talibanisation of Karachi, want the girls schools and colleges burnt, ban women from employment, ban women from doing business, confine women to homes only, have womenfolk to strictly obey purdah and wear the “shuttle-cock style burqah” when they come out? Everyone replied… “No”.
Mr Hussain asked the audience are they all prepared and arranged protection for themselves and their properties? They replied… “No”. He commented the angels will not come on earth to protect them. He emphasised that his fears are coming true and the danger has already entered the city. Recently, the Taliban have pasted posters in different parts of the city and warned the truck drivers not to transport fuel to NATO. They have threatened to burn such trucks and behead its driver. He referred to a few news items appearing in today’s national and international newspapers with reference to US warnings to Pakistan to tackle the issue of Talibanisation in the tribal areas and also that US will no longer share intelligence and if Pakistan does not take action then US will be compelled to take action.
Mr Hussain said that if the US attacks Pakistan then the influx to Karachi will increase. The city’s outskirts today are surrounded by population and madressahs on illegally encroached lands. We are Muslims and will remain Muslims till our last breath. And, therefore, we reject the imposition Taliban shariat, suicide shariat, baton-wielding shariat or self-imposed version of shariat. The very same people are involved in criminal activities such as kidnapping for ransom, robbery and street crimes. With every passing day these criminals are getting more and more encouraged as no action is being taken against them. The threat of Talibanisation of Karachi is very much present.
Mr Hussain assured the audience that MQM being the representative political party is busy in discussions and meetings to find ways and means to tackle this issue but this is not the responsibility of the MQM alone, we must be alert, This is the question of security and safety for our coming generations. We must now without wasting more time establish chawkidari system in our areas and hold community meetings to communicate with each other. Mr Hussain reiterated that Sindh is the land of Sufis and Saints and is void of discrimination and Karachi is the capital of Sindh Province. He stressed on the need to mobilise the permanent settlers of Sindh who live and die in this province and don’t send their remittance elsewhere to stand united to face the challenges ahead.
Mr Hussain while welcoming the ANP for forming defence committees in NWFP against Talibanisation has announced that the people of Sindh will also form “defence committee” to save Karachi from Talibanisation. Even before the formation of Taliban we prayed to Allah Almighty, observed fasting in the month of Ramadhan and performed all our religious duties and obligations according to Islamic teachings. Therefore, we Karachiites and people of Sindh reject imposition of baton-wielding and self imposed shariat and Talibanisation of Karachi. MQM will encourage and support the area residents in forming “defence committees”.
He appealed to all the Haq Parast elected representatives including the Members of National Assembly, Members of Provincial Assembly, Town Nazims etc to coordinate with residents and make regular visits to hold meetings. In unity is victory – with change in our thinking process a lot will change.
