After Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) strong reaction against the remarks of Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq for opposing a university in Hyderabad, he has retracted from his statement.
In a clarification statement issued here on Sunday, Pir Mazharul Haq backed away from his remarks and said he had not said anything against establishing of a university in Hyderabad.
Earlier, MQM chief Altaf Hussain said they opposed the division of Sindh in the past and they did want the province to be divided even today.
While talking to the members of zonal committee of Hyderabad via telephone, he said: “we are not narrow minded and we will build universities in Sindh and throughout Pakistan if we get a chance to rule.”
Altaf deplored the prejudicial statement of Provincial Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haque against the establishment of a university in Hyderabad. He said he was aware of the concerns of the people of Hyderabad and they were saddened by the minister’s prejudicial statement.
He said MQM would spread education and build universities in Dadu, Thatta, Kashmore, Larkana, Jacobabad and Khairpur besides Hyderabad. He said it was the part of the MQM’s manifesto to provide education and healthcare facilities to the people and would implement its manifesto.
Hussain asked the people not to harm public and private property while protesting against the prejudicial and provocative statement. He asked them to keep their protests completely peaceful.
Meanwhile, MQM’s co-ordination committee strongly condemned the announcement by the provincial minister for education that he would oppose the establishing of a public sector university in Hyderabad.
The committee said the minister had laid the foundation of the division of Sindh by giving this statement. It said the statement by Pir Mazharul Haque that he would become an iron wall in the path of the establishing of a university in Hyderabad betrays his prejudice and hatred against the people of Sindh, particularly the people of Hyderabad.
It said the statement of Pir Mazharul Haque was an open enmity against Sindh, adding historians should note as to who was dividing Sindh by his prejudicial attitude.
