Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has asked the people of Kashmir to give MQM a chance to turn Kashmir into one of the most prosperous regions of the world. Hussain said that the MQM is the only political party that stepped forward for helping the people of Kashmir after the earthquake that caused a large-scale devastation in the region.
The MQM chief was addressing a large gathering of Kashmiris in Mehmoodabad regarding the election for the legislative assembly of Kashmir. He said that only MQM leaders, office-bearers and activists bore hardships of weather, but continued to help the affected people of Kashmir in a selfless manner. He also said that only the people who work without any greed and those who have themselves faced hardships and difficulties could empathise with other people.
He further said that if the people of Kashmir vote for the MQM, then the party would work strenuously for turning Kashmir into one of the most prosperous regions of the world. Hussain said that the long-standing Kashmir dispute would be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. He said that neither India nor Pakistan should decide the fate of the people of Kashmir without taking into consideration the wishes and legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He asserted that the destiny of Kashmir should be decided by the people of Kashmir alone. He said that the people of Kashmir are divided on both sides of the border. He also said that they have had to face innumerable problems in meeting their family members across the border. He further said that the MQM would introduce legislation for empowering the people of Kashmir to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to their wishes.
The MQM chief said that the MQM would make the voice of the Kashmiri people heard throughout the world. He said that some political parties were claiming that they would change the fate of the Kashmiri people if they came into power. He also said that these political parties had been in power in Kashmir several times in the past, but they did nothing to improve the condition of the people of Kashmir.
He further said that the MQM is a political party representing the people of the poor and middle classes, and that the party would change the fate of the oppressed and the downtrodden people. Speaking about the release of the people from the captivity of the Somali pirates, he said that the MQM and the philanthropic people of Pakistan worked tirelessly for ensuring the release of all the hostages, despite the fact that only four Pakistanis were among them.
He appealed to the Indian government, leaders, journalists, intellectuals and analysts to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the release of the Indian captives and make a new beginning as regards living in peace with its neighbour. Hussain appealed to the Pakistani people to unite, saying that if only they were to unite, they could change the fate of the country. He asked the people to make MQM’s candidates successful on January 26 and asked the candidates to work selflessly for the people of Kashmir after being elected.
