Quaid e Thereek Altaf Hussain's Appeal To The People Of Karachi

People from all communities permanently settled in Karachi, in the light of current critical situation faced by the country, to remain united, and defeat all conspiracies to create law and order situation and incite linguistic and ethnic riots in the city.

Richard Boucher Met Altaf Hussain In London

Richard A. Boucher, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, called on MQM Founder Leader Altaf Hussain at the party’s international secretariat here on Friday and discussed with him matters relating to US-Pakistan relations, terror attacks in Mumbai and issues of mutual interests.

The condemned the Mumbai attacks and expressed grief over the loss of lives, says a press release.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that war was not in the interest of either India or Pakistan. “It is essential that the matters are resolved through dialogue and tensions are scaled down.”

He said that terrorists had no religion and that no peace-loving person could condone acts of terrorism.

Act of Burying Five women alive in Balochistan

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) severely condemned the act of burying 5 women alive in Naseerabad District of Balochistan and termed it a brazen degradation of humanity. He said in his statement issued from London that while the world having advanced in science and technology is respecting humanity it is a cause of distress that in this advanced age people in some areas of my country are forced to live in dark ages and they are being victimised on the rubrics of powerful medieval and archaic traditions. He said that as the girls were buried alive on their birth in the Stone Age before the birth of Islam, women and girls in certain areas of Pakistan are faced with the similar barbarism and oppression; they are murdered in the garb of “Karo-Kari” and “Honour Killings”.

Mr Altaf Hussain reiterating his statement that burying 5 women alive under the guise of respecting tradition is in fact, a naked barbarism against women and a degradation of humanity which deserves severest condemnation.

Difference Between Political Parties And Movements

The prime aim and purpose of a political party revolves round its personal interests and in the achievement of power; where as a movement is totally different as regards its aims and purpose. The gaining of power is never the sole aim of a movement because a movement is launched for the acquisition of the collective rights of its peoples and the achievement and aim of a movement is to succeed in the attainment of its purpose and aim. In the joining of political parties personal interests and selfish motives take priority. There are egocentric desires to become MPA’s & MNA’s, to gain popularity and to be called a leader is each individual’s uppermost craving. On the contrary, when an individual associates himself with a Movement his desires, aspirations and attitudes are totally different. The individuals who join a movement have no personal aims and goals because their attitudes are such that they have no desire to gain from the Movement but to give. They willingly give quality time, they sacrifice their wants, desires and self-interests for the benefit of the movement and their foremost goal lies in the achievement of the collective rights of its people and in the promotion of the collective interests, purpose, mission and vision of the movement and not of the self. In a Movement, the basis of merit is not the social status and wealth but it is the attitude and practical performance.

IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CHARACTER IN IDEOLOGICAL MOVEMENT

A THOUGHT PROVOKING LECTURE OF ALTAF HUSSAIN BHAI TO WORKERS OF MQM.

Our movement is an ideological Movement; our struggle is for the collective good and to bring about a positive change in the country. If we are to challenge the medieval feudal system then we must strengthen our ideological base and adopt a positive attitude. Every member must become a walking image of civilised and cultured manner; our way of talking should create a positive impact on everyone. We must always remember the basic aim of joining the Movement? What is the mission and cause of our Movement? When one puts the collective aims aside and give their personal interests priority then he or she slowly but surely moves away from the ideology. They become ideologically weak and in difficult times they quickly change their loyalties and leave the Movement to safeguard their personal interests. When on 19 June 1992 an army operation was launched against our Movement then those who were in the race of personal interests, changed their loyalties – however, the ideologically strong workers remained steadfast, faced the hardship and difficult times, were incarcerated, went into hiding and even did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for the Movement. To achieve the goals of the Movement it is essential that all the members of the Movement must be ideologically strong, keep improving their character and actions, acquire knowledge, follow the organisational policies and rules of discipline, carry out self-accountability instead of pointing the finger at others.
Our Movement and struggle is for the right of common people and humanity. This is not for personal interests but for collective goals. If we give priority to personal interests over collective goals then we cannot remain steadfast in testing times. Therefore, all the members of the Movement should be ideologically strong and be prepared to improve their character and etiquettes so as to further the message of the Movement and bring about positive change in the current medieval system of the country.

CITY NAZIM INAUGURATES 8TH ITCN ASIA IN KARACHI.

Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has appreciated the efforts made by the organizers of 8th ITCN Asia Exhibition in Karachi. After inaugurating the exhibition at Expo Centre on Monday the City Nazim expressed hope that the holding of such an event would dispel the negative impression abroad about Karachi and Pakistan and the participation of foreign investors and multinational companies in the exhibition would improve investment chances in Karachi.
The 8th ITCN Asia has been attended by 110 foreign delegates besides 125 exhibitors and 35 multinational companies.
Talking to media Nazim Karachi said that the Haq Parast City Government has worked day and night to make Karachi a modern city with all basic facilities available to citizens. All these works have been done on equal basis and without any favoritism.
He expressed hope that the 8th ITCN Asia would promote investment in Karachi and Pakistan and the investors would exploit the best investment opportunities here with improved infrastructure.

MQM DEMANDS

MQM demanded the President and the Prime Minister to take an immediate notice about the Talibanisation in Karachi

Taliban threat on rise in Karachi: Altaf Hussain

The threat of Talibanisation is on the rise in Karachi and Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists must remain ‘mentally and physically vigilant’ to face the threat, MQM leader Altaf Hussain said on Sunday.

Altaf Hussain said, “We will not bow our heads before Taliban terrorists, rather we will face them. The conspiracy of Talibanisation is on the rise in Karachi and MQM activists should remain mentally and physically prepared to face hard times ahead.” Altaf Hussain was addressing a Workers Convention at Lal Qila Ground, Azizabad. During his telephone address, the MQM leader said that Islam espouses a message of peace and brotherhood and does not support terrorism in any form. On the contrary, the ‘religion of peace’ condemns acts of cruelty and brutality, said Altaf.

The MQM leader said: “Terrorists strangle innocent men and women, old and young and burn down female educational institutions in the name of Islam. This is ignorance. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that ‘it is obligatory for every man and woman to get education’.” He urged intellectuals and writers to tell the masses about ‘conspiracies of Talibanisation’. The country is going through a crisis, he said, adding that its sovereignty will be threatened if the ‘menace of Talibanisation’ was not curbed. The MQM has fulfilled it duty by informing people about the impending threat time and again, he said. “The people here [in Pakistan] were Muslims and are Muslims. What kind of Muslims do they [the Taliban] want to make us? Actually, they [the Taliban] want to bring the shariah of the Kalashnikov into force but people will not tolerate such a forced shariah,” Altaf Hussain said.

Umme Hassan: He said Karachi was now facing a conspiracy as the Tribal Areas. The recent visit of Umme Hassan was part of an agenda to Talibanise the country’s financial hub, Altaf Hussain said.Umme Hassan visited various religious seminaries of the city and provoked students to launch jihad, he said, noting that after her visit the activities of some extremist elements have increased.

He demanded that the president, prime minister, Sindh governor, chief minister and home minister look into the matter and take immediate steps to counter such conspiracies.

THE EFFORTS TO TALIBANISE KARCHI HAVE GATHERED MOMENTUM… MQM Central Co-ordination Committee

Investigative team of MQM Central Coordination Committee stated that the MQM leader Mr Altaf Hussain in his numerous statements and telephonic addresses has been warning since few months that the conspiracy to Talibanise Karachi has gathered momentum. Certain influential elements of the establishment are engaged in the promotion of this heinous activity. The Investigative Committee disclosed that on 31 July 2008 the principle of Jamai Hafsa Islamabad Umm-e- Hassan: wife of the former Khateeb of Red Mosque Islamabad, Maulana Abdul Aziz visited Karachi and distributed certificates in various Jehadi Madrasas. She also lectured the students on the merits of becoming good Jehadi. Ms Umm-e-Hassan was accompanied by personnel in vehicles with Islamabad number plates and numerous heavily armed gaurds and agency personnel. The madarsas visited by Ms Um-e-Hassan include: Sultanabad Jehadi madarasa, Madarsa Ayesha Kemari, Jamai Masjid Farooq Azam in Clifton Town, Jamia Masjid –e- Mustafa Haroon Abad Shair Shah Road, Madarsa Ansarul-Ummah Pakistan of Shahi Masjid in Mominabad and Madarsa Sarta Jabal of Jamia Masjid Rabbania in Qasba Colony. She was specially invited by Maulana Noor Al Huda of Madarsa Sarta Jabal. In her addresses she asked the students to prepare themselves mentally and physically. She also promised training so the students are fully prepared for all eventualities and then you will be assigned the task to please God Almighty. According to the investigation team the workers present there had badges of Ansar Alama Pakistan on their chests with madarsa’s telephone number 021-2574455 and for contact also a mobile number 0321-9819661. The aims on those badges were: Upholding Islamic Superiority, Establishment of Khilafat –e-Islamia and every effort to inculcate Sharia ideology.
The MQM Central Co-ordination Committee has appealed to all the people of Karachi to take a very serious notice of the progressive activities of Jehadi movements and remain alert. The Committee also made an impassioned appealed to the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim ali shah, governor Sinddh, Dr Ishrat AlIbad |Khan, the federal Interiior Advisor, Mr Rehmean Mallick and Interior Minister sindh Zulfiqar Mirza to take emergency measures to protect Karachi from the menace of Talibanisation.

GOVERNOR SINDH CALLS NAGAN CHOWRANGI FLYOVER IMPRESSIVE.

Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has termed it good omen that city government in Karachi has within a very short period completed mega development projects.
He expressed these views during the inspection of work at Nagan Chowrangi Flyover with City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on late night Thursday.
The Governor of Sindh also appreciated the planning for the project under which alternate routes were made for passing traffic that had minimized citizen’s problem.
The Governor further advised that especial care should be taken during the work on development projects so that the people would not have to face any trouble.
He said that the citizens have got great convenience with the development works carried out in Karachi during the last two and half years especially the completion of flyovers, underpasses and signal free corridors has provided lot of help in maintaining traffic flow during rush hours.
The Governor also praised the performance of city governments under dynamic leadership and said that city nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal deserved congratulation for his role in the rapid pace of development in Karachi.
“The Nagan Chowrangi was a very busy roundabout where the traffic jam and accidents were very common; however the city government has done a great thing by constructing a huge two level flyover at this junction within a very short time,” he added.
Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal while giving a briefing to Governor said that passing traffic did not face any trouble during the construction of flyover as the problem was solved by better traffic management.

He further said that besides the construction of this two level flyover the city government has also installed a new storm water drainage system in the whole area and for this an special main drain was currently under construction.
“Previously this whole area used to submerged in water during the rains and though the new system was still to be completed the recent rains did not caused accumulation of water at the roads or streets,” Nazim Karachi said and added that the construction of all roads beneath and around the flyover will be completed by 13th August.
He said that the Nagan Chowrangi Flyover has been designed in such a way that the traffic coming from all side will pass here without making any stop. The beautification of the whole area was also underway.

CONSTRUCTION OF PARK MEANS FACING GUNFIRE IN KARACHI

Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that developing a park is indeed an easy job but it becomes very tough in Karachi where vacating occupied land and developing into park means fighting a war with the all powerful land mafia and exchange of gunfire.He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the reconstructed Jheel Park in PECHS on Thursday after the Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan inaugurated the park.The City Nazim said that this is not happened anywhere in the world except for Karachi where the occupiers open fire when they are asked to vacate the government land.He said that the heads of the state had in past allotted plots to their loved ones at the land of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim in Clifton while a total of 16 to 17 acres of old Jheel Park was also occupied by the land mafia. The Haq parast government has now recovered this precious land from the occupation of land mafia and opened it for public and the credit for this should go to Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan.
Nazim Karachi said that out of total 130 acres of Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim 70 acres was occupied and this was not possible for poor men to take up such an expensive land forcefully and these were only he near and dear ones of the past rulers who had done this.
“In such a situation this would have been very easy for Governor Sindh to occupy a 10 acre of the park land himself and a 5 acre for the City Nazim and then to put all the blame on the land mafia who had already occupied the place but the Haq Parast government believed in the resolution of citizens problems and provision of all basic facilities to them,” the City Nazim said and added that they received many phone calls from the top notch country officials to stop it when they started work at Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim. “but we did not listened to them and eventually succeeded in restoring public land and constructing a huge beautiful park where the people enjoy now.
He said that there was no empty piece of land in the densely populated PECHS especially near Tariq Road and a major part of the only old park in the area was occupied by the land mafia and the place was made centre of criminal activities and no go area for the people. When the city government bulldozers get their they started firing and we were threatened on telephone but the residents of this area would testify that we have not left even an inch of the government land in the hands of the mafia and now the 30 year old Jheel Park has once again available for public.

Altaf Hussain lauds CDGK’s efforts to cope with rains

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain Wednesday paid tribute to the City Nazim Karachi and the City District Government for taking effective steps for coping with the rain related challenges.

The Haq Parast leadership of City Government took appropriate measures for improvement of the storm water drains and overall sewerage system before the expected rains. This helped avert a crisis like situation faced by the city in the last year’s rains, he added.

CITY NAZIM EXPRESS SATISFACTION OVER EFFECTIVE RAIN ARRANGEMENTS.

Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that if compared to previous years the situation in Karachi was much better this year even after a record 66 millimeter rain. The main roads were in past used to disturb most due to the accumulation of rain water for even 20days which resulted in traffic gridlock for many hours, however, this year municipal workers did not required any pumps or machines to drain out water from main roads and the citizens found the city clean in the morning after heavy showers.
After a detailed visit to various areas of the city on Wednesday the City Nazim said that the water was drained out through the storm water drains installed at all the main roads, flyovers, bridges and underpasses constructed during the last two and half year.
He said that “although concerned departments had already finalized all arrangements regarding rains and the preparations were completed much earlier the installation of storm water drainage system played key role in dealing with the situation while the command and control centre was also proved useful where during and after rain situation was monitored in 38km area through video cameras and teams were dispatched immediately to clear traffic jam and rain.
Nazim Karachi said that all the concerned officers and workers including DCO Karachi, MD. KWSB, EDO Municipal Services were remained on roads till 6 am in the morning and the city has been made clean overnight.
He said that all credit for this should go to team work which has made this possible.
He further said that the power failure was responsible for the traffic jam at some of the roads and the situation was controlled immediately with the help of community policing which helped traffic police maintain traffic flow.

300 people on Baitullah Mehsud’s hit list

* List includes PPP, MQM and ANP leadership

The intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert based on the news that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud has prepared a hit list of around 300 high-profile figures, including political leaders.

“Of course this type of information is received from time to time,” said CID Chief DIG Saud Mirza, adding that the country was still under threat. “We are in coordination with all the intelligence agencies.” Source close to an intelligence agency said that it was assumed that the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP), anti-Taliban Shia, Sunni clerics, personnel from the intelligence and law enforcement agencies, officials from the interior and provincial ministries and journalists could be targeted by the Pakistani Taliban. Their families were also believed to be at risk.

The MQM leadership was also informed by the LEAs when Jundullah members were arrested on charges of attacking the then corps commander of Karachi Lt Gen Ahsan Hayat. During interrogations, these men confessed that they targeted the party’s leadership as its members were perceived as ‘American agents’.

Muttahida Quami Movement Vehemently Denounces The Murder Of MQM Worker In Karachi

The Central Organizing commitee of Muttahida Quami Movement have intensely deprecated the cold blooded murder of MQM worker Sohail Sami.Sohail Sami, 25, was a worker of MQM Malir Sector, Unit 97. The office bearers of MQM vehemently denounced the incidence occurred in Malir, Karachi in which, it is apprehended, that armed terrorists abducted Sohail Sami and then shot him to death with several rounds of fires. It is worth mentioning that two months ago, in the same vicinity, another worker of MQM Mohammad Azim was put to death by armed terrorists.The members of MQM Central Organizing Committee said that the murders of MQM workers and harassment to MQM workers is a part of strategic planning of non-democratic forces who, on one hand are encouraging and facilitating Talibanization in Karachi, and on the other hand, are creating unrest in the city of most peace-loving people of the country. They said that the workers and supporters of MQM are peace loving people and don’t want to take the law in their hand. However, they reiterated, if these elements will not refrain from attacking pro-democratic MQM workers, the workers and supporters of MQM will find no other way than to defend themselves in a better way. The office bearers of MQM demanded of the highest ranks in the law enforcing authorities to probe into the incidence and the culprits should be brought to justice instantly.

POLITICKING AGAINST PEOPLE

Ever since the PPP government came in power it is trying its best to undermine the MQM-led city government in Karachi. It cannot reconcile to the fact that Karachi is the power base of its main rival in Sindh. It knows that the real power of the political parties is the work it gets done for the people which votes them to power.

It is working on the premise that if you keep your opponent parties in need for money, restrict their ability to work and keep them busy dealing with allegations of misuse of power and financial irregularities you lessen their energies and frustrate them. The reconstruction work suffers and then you blame your opponents for not getting their work done.

It seems that the city government is surrounded by vicious adversaries, the Sindh Local Government Minister on one side, the CM on the other, the National Reconstruction Bureau and the Federal Government Local Bodies Ministry on the other two. Instead of addressing to the pressing economic issues of the people the PPP-led government is chipping on whatever good the local government has done for the people of Karachi.

The CDGK has done a marvel by transforming the city’s infrastructure in a short period of time. Like any other organisation, its work cannot be without a blemish but it is learning. The people have seen a change in the city and have benefited from it. For the first time people have been given a voice that is also being heard. People have access to its chosen leaders and there is no lord peon to stop his entry to the office of the union council (UC) and Nazim. The UC leaders are the residents of the area they represent and have a stake in getting the work of the area done. With a strongly willed Nazim, whose integrity even the opposition is willing to accept, Karachi is in line to become a major city of Asia.

This is not going down well with the new anti-people PPP, which is hell bent in minting a piece of the pie and making money from whatever is the budget allocation for Karachi. If they were wiser they could have used the ‘Karachi Experience’ to bring about the same infrastructural changes in the rest of Sindh.

But it is not about the “people”. It is about “politics”. In the end the rich will become rich and the poor will become poorer.

Second Level Of Nagan Flyover Opened in Karachi

The second level of the Nagan Chowrangi flyover was opened for vehicular traffic late on Saturday night.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal performed the opening ceremony.

Seemingly undeterred by the withholding of the promised funds by the federal and provincial governments, the city nazim announced that the city government would curtail its non-development expenditures to finance and complete the ongoing development projects in the city.

Talking to newsmen after the inauguration, he said that the Nagan Chowrangi and Gulshan-i-Iqbal flyovers were actually federally-funded projects but owing to the withholding of funds, the city government spent Rs170 million from its own resources to complete the project.

He said that so far the city government spent Rs400 million on various development projects under bridge financing.

Defending his decision to continue the work on various projects without getting the promised funds, the nazim said that since the cost of raw material was increasing with each passing day, there was a possibility that if the city government kept waiting for the promised grants, the overall costs of the projects would increase manifold.

“Therefore, despite limited resources, we do not want to further delay the ongoing projects,” the nazim said.

Mr Kamal maintained that the city government was facing a shortfall of around Rs3 billion but was trying to meet the same by curtailing various non-development expenditures including fuel, medical etc.

However, he urged the federal and provincial authorities to release the withheld funds to the city government so that it could complete the ongoing development projects in the city.

The nazim said that the signal-free corridor II comprising five flyovers – three on Rashid Minhas Road, one at Sohrab Goth and the Nagan Chowrangi flyover – would be formally inaugurated on Independence Day.

He said that that the Nagan Chowrangi flyover was an important part of the signal-free corridor II, which linked Sharea Faisal to Surjani Town and was being completed at an estimated cost of Rs650 million.

Level one of the Nagan Chowrangi flyover was recently opened for vehicular traffic.

Currently, the city government is constructing one more loop of the flyover, which will cover Anda Mor and is scheduled to be completed by August 14.

Mr Kamal congratulated the people of Karachi on the opening of the Nagan Chowrangi flyover and observed that due to effective arrangements, traffic was not disturbed during the construction work of the flyover.

He said that the city government would work on the beautification of the entire area after the completion of work on adjacent roads and a storm-water drain.

ALTAF HUSSAIN ASKS TO CALL ALL PARTIES CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT CRISIS

Mr Altaf Hussain, MQM Founder & Leader, has requested to government to call an all parties conference to discuss the current crises, growing talibanisation, country’s critical situation, economic crises; as it is the need of time. He has appealed to invite all the political and religious parties in this conference. He also appealed to call urgent session of all the chambers of commerce of the country and small investors to discuss the stock market commotion. He expressed these views in an important session at the MQM International Secretariat London attended by Members of MQM Coordination Committee Saleem Shahzad, Muhammad Anwar, Waseem Aftab, Mustafa Azizabadi, Asif Siddiqui, Qasim Ali Raza and Member of Provincial Assembly Sindh Nisar Pahnwar.
Mr Hussain said that as a result of the deteriorating situation of the country and the economic and trade crises; not only the stock exchanges are feeling the impact but also industrialists and investors, big or small, are faced with difficulties and compelled to come out on the streets. On the other hand, the situation in tribal areas is fast deteriorating with every passing day. The Taliban Movement has given ultimatum to the ANP Government in NWFP to resign in 5 days or face the consequences. Be it the economic crises, increase in terrorism in tribal areas, every citizen of the country is concerned, however, the government is yet to be seen to be taking strong action. He appealed to the Government that the current scenario and the national unity and integrity demands that an All Parties Conference is called to formulate a clear line of action to address and tackle the growing talibanisation in Pakistan, political and economic crises, closure of industries, inflation, unemployment, load shedding, energy crises and similar issues. All coalition partners and the parties of the Opposition should also be invited and a joint line of action to be formulated with consensus of all. He further advised the Government to call an urgent session of all the stock exchanges of the country and the investors, big or small, to discuss the economic crises and the stock market commotion.

Mr Hussain said that Pakistan came into being as a result of enormous sacrifices. The country has already been disintegrated in two and the remainder Pakistan is faced with a critical situation. Therefore, for the sustenance of the remainder of the country, it is the need of time that all the political and religious parties, industrial and traders organisations, social organisations and people from all walks of life to come forward and demonstrate national unity. He reminded that the MQM has already offered its unconditional support to the Government and its defence institutions. He appealed to the citizens of Pakistan not to get despondent and remain united.

PEOPLE OF SINDH SHOULD FORM “DEFFENCE COMMITTEES” TO SAVE KARACHI FROM TALIBANISATION

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.

US Ask Pakistan to get tough with militants

Amidst growing fears of a unilateral American action against ‘terrorist sanctuaries’ in tribal areas, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen made an unscheduled visit to Islamabad on Saturday and met top military leadership of the country to persuade it to “act decisively” against Taliban and Al Qaeda militants suspected of mounting cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.

Sources said that the United States was “deeply frustrated” with Pakistan’s lack of ability or willingness, or both, to move decisively to end the rising infiltration by the Taliban militants into Afghanistan.

Recent reports in the Washington Post and New York Times claimed that the US administration was considering using direct military force to stop the infiltration and it may use commando forces, besides direct missile attacks, on militants’ targets.

“Admiral Mullen was here on a day’s visit and has already left,” US embassy spokesperson Kay Mayfield told Dawn, but would not say anything about his meetings.

During his brief stay, Admiral Mullen met the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Tariq Majeed, and discussed with them the latest situation in Afghanistan and joint efforts to deal with the challenge posed by terrorists in Fata.

Pakistan army spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas would neither confirm nor deny the meeting, saying no meeting between Admiral Mullen and the Chief of the Army Staff was scheduled.

The sources said that Mullen conveyed to Pakistan military leaders the US government’s growing frustration over Pakistan’s ‘inaction’ against Taliban militants in tribal areas.

Admiral Mullen reiterated Washinton’s stance that these safe havens of the militants should be eliminated, emphasising that Pakistan’s peace deals with terrorists were not achieving the desired results of isolating them and were rather aggravating the problem.

The sources quoted Mullen as complaining that militants were moving across the border with greater liberty now than during the previous government. This was Mullen’s fourth visit to Islamabad this year. But, contrary to his previous visits, this visit was kept in low profile and no official announcement was made.

The United States, in a clear shift in its military strategy in Afghanistan, has stopped sharing information with Pakistan regarding action against terrorists in tribal areas.

During the meeting, Gen Kayani is reported to have protested at recent attacks in Angoor Adda and Mohmand Agency in which Pakistani troops were killed and injured.

The army chief recalled Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terror and pledged that Pakistan’s resolve against terrorism remained firm. The Chief of the Army Staff, the sources said, asked the US admiral to share actionable intelligence against terrorists with the Pakistan army.

Earlier this week, Mullen had told reporters in Kabul that Pakistan’s government needed to crack down on Taliban and Al Qaeda militants in Fata.