Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, defending Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s tenure as the power minister, said that he was misguided and misled by others while all the blame was placed on him.
But, he hoped that Ashraf had learnt from past mistakes and in his six months in power, he would put all his capabilities to good use.
“He will take such courageous decisions that people won’t have any reservations, but they will rather appreciate him later,” Hussain remarked during Ashraf’s visit to MQM’s Karachi headquarters Nine Zero.
Welcoming the new prime minister to MQM headquarters in Karachi, Hussain said that he was happy that Ashraf was not born with a “silver spoon”.
“He was also a worker. He used to put up posters. This has happened for the first time in Pakistan that a worker has become a prime minister.” Hussain asked the prime minister to work for the country and not his party.
He further advised Ashraf to initiate talks in Balochistan to end the plight of the people in the province. “I also want to advise those sitting in the mountains of Balochistan to prepare for talks as this will be beneficial for you as well as the country”.
The MQM chief, lauded the workings of ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), and congratulated President Asif Ali Zardari for running the government for 4.5 years even in the “toughest of times”.
“With patience, he accepted all Supreme Court orders. His prime minister, Gilani was disqualified, and with a heavy heart he removed former ambassador to US Husain Haqqani. The Supreme Court also suspended his wife’s membership. Rehman Malik was also suspended from his Senate seat. But the president maintained patience.”
He added that those holding dual nationalities help in strengthening the country’s economy.
On the issue of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), Hussain invited all opposition parties to gather in one place and have a debate with him alone on the topic. “If they beat me at it, I’ll leave politics forever,” Hussain challenged.
MQM leader and federal minister Dr Farooq Sattar demanded of the prime minister general election should be held in time if they believe in democracy.
Sattar also told the prime minister that target killing and extortion were increasing in Karachi.
The prime minister talked with MQM chief Altaf Hussain via telephone. Hussain congratulated the newly elected prime minister and said Raja Pervez Ashrad belonged to middle class and Pakistan needed a prime minister like him.
Ashraf was misguided as power minister: Altaf Hussain
