Democratic forces united to defend democracy: Altaf Hussain

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said on Sunday that all pro-democracy forces in Pakistan were united to foil any conspiracies to derail the democratic order. Addressing via telephone from London the participants of a huge demonstration titled the Istehkam-e-Jamhooriyat (Stability of Democracy) Rally organised by his party, which extended from Numaish to Tibet Centre here, Altaf said that the country was united to defend democracy and supported President Asif Ali Zardari.
WAIT FOR ELECTIONS: He advised the leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to wait for the general elections and participate in them and come into power through the democratic process. His party would have no objection if the PML-N came into power through the democratic process, he added. He said the PML-N leaders had tried to create an impression that the government was about to fall. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif got carried away in his zeal for oratory and said that the president and his people would be hanged at Bhaati Gate, he said. “We do not want to talk about hanging, but we want to make it clear that we will not beat a retreat,” said Altaf.
He said President Zardari had faced incarceration for more than 11 years whereas the Sharif brothers had begged forgiveness of the generals within 15 days and made off to Jeddah. He said further that the people of Sindh had raised themselves above the barriers of language and ethnicity in order to demonstrate that they were firmly united for the sake of democracy and standing solidly behind President Asif Zardari. Altaf also expressed gratitude to the leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the PML-Quaid and PML-Functional for joining the rally and said they had showed their unity and support through their participation.
DIGNIFIED MANNER: He said the policies of the government should be criticised and protest should be registered in a dignified manner. He also called upon the leaders of the PPP, MQM, PML-Q and Awami National Party (ANP) to organise another peace rally in the city. He also proposed that all parties should settle their differences through dialogue because the country was passing through a difficult phase. “We have to protect the country and democracy and we have to eliminate poverty and unemployment to bring prosperity,” said Altaf.
The MQM chief also appealed to the government to appoint honest and devoted people to run Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan International Airlines and other state-owned entities to turn them into profit-generating units. He directed the office-bearers of all units and zones of his party to offer thanksgiving prayers on the successful organisation of the rally. At times during his address, Altaf shouted slogans such as “Long live PPP-MQM unity” and “Long live democracy”. During the MQM chief’s telephonic address, PPP leaders Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq and Agha Siraj Durrani also talked to him and expressed gratitude for organising the event. Stringent security arrangements were made for the rally by police, Rangers and wardens of City District Government Karachi.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan also reviewed the security arrangements. PPP leader, members of the MQM Rabita Committee Raza Haroon, Dr Saghir Ahmed, Gulfaraz Khan Khatak, Yousuf Shahwani, Anees Ahmed Qaimkhani and office-bearers of various wings of the MQM, party workers and supporters in large numbers attended the event.