Don’t vote for the ‘filthy rich’, Altaf urges masses

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain requested the masses on Sunday not to vote for feudal lords, chieftains or the “filthy rich”, who have amassed wealth through corruption.
According to a press statement, he also asked intellectuals, journalists and writers of Sindh to work on removing differences and divisions between “new” and “old” Sindhis.
“If Pakistan is to become prosperous and strong, the legitimate rights of the Sindh would have to be granted, Hussain said while addressing a large gathering at al Mustafa Ground in Hyderabad on the occasion of the MQM’s 28th Foundation Day.
Hussain said he is living in exile for over 20 years because he refused to take money from government agencies and sell his conscience.
He said he had sent able and educated people from the poor and middle classes to the assemblies and brought them on equal footing with feudal lords.
Hussain said the medieval feudal system has been scrapped throughout the world, but unfortunately, it is still prevailing in Pakistan.
“The MQM wants to liberate poor peasants and farmers from the oppressive subjugation of feudal lords and chieftains who look upon poor people as their slaves. The feudalistic system has weakened the entire society, and the politics of the country has become the fiefdom of a few “filthy rich” families,” he noted.
Hussain said the present-day Pakistan does not belong to the common Pakistanis. “The MQM will build a Pakistan of the poor and middle classes in the true sense of the words,” he added.
Hussain stressed upon parliamentarians to work on giving the peasants and farmers of the country the status of industrial labourers.
“The MQM is neither socialist nor communist. The MQM is not against private industries, but it opposes uncontrolled capitalism,” he maintained.
Hussain said the MQM is the only political party that has raised the issue of the extortion mafia operating in Karachi. “No other political party has cared to raise this issue that is plaguing the business community in Karachi,” he added.
Hussain congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari on addressing the joint sitting of the parliament for the fifth consecutive time.
Hussain appealed to the people of Sindh not to be misled by the “so-called nationalist elements” in the province.
He exhorted them to join the MQM as it wants to emancipate poor people from the oppression and injustices of feudal lords.
“The MQM was the only political party in the country that is against the spread of sectarianism. It wants sectarian harmony. It is because of the earnest desire of the MQM to promote interfaith harmony that people from different religious backgrounds are joining the party in large numbers,” he said.
Hussain said if the MQM comes into power, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and followers of all other faiths would have equal rights. “There will be no minorities in the country as everyone would become equal citizens of Pakistan,” he added.
Speaking about the problems being faced by the people of Hyderabad, Hussain stressed upon the government to take immediate steps to give relief to the people.
“There is no university in Hyderabad. Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad had announced the establishment of a university in the city, but the Sindh Assembly has not passed the bill for this purpose. That bill should be passed urgently,” he said.
Hussain said the sewerage system in Latifabad is dilapidated and overflowing sewage is causing immense problems for the people. “Additional funds should be allocated for improving the sewerage system in Latifabad,” he added.
The MQM chief said bangle manufacturing is an important industry of Hyderabad. “The government should support the people affiliated with the bangle industry and help in its revival,” he demanded.
Hussain also noted that there is no cardiovascular hospital in Hyderabad and asked the government to set up a hospital in Hyderabad for heart disease patients.
He also called for building an information technology college in Hyderabad and asked MQM parliamentarians to utilise their development funds for this purpose.
Speaking on the occasion, MQM Rabita Committee Deputy Convener and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar warned the “so-called nationalist elements” not to breach the unity of the people of Sindh.
Sattar said the MQM opposes the geographical division of Sindh, but it equally opposes creating divisions among its people.