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Newsbeat “The MQM and JSQM coalition is not a new phenomenon” -Altaf Hussain By Zahid Hussain |
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Q: After lying low for over a year, the MQM has become active once again, opposing the military government. Is there any particular reason for the new political stance? A: MQM has never ceased its political activities. Political rallies were not held because the permission to hold them was never granted. However, when the vital issue of the water crisis in Sindh threatening people’s lives and the habitat came up, we had no alternative but to come to the fore. The recent hunger strikes and the peaceful general strike were, in fact, carried out, not only to draw the attention of the rulers of Pakistan but also the national and international human rights organisations and the international community. If the shortage of water, a vital element of life, had occurred in the United States of America or any democratic western country, people would have done exactly what the MQM and the JSQM did. We have not adopted a new political stance. We have demanded rights for the people and the smaller provinces all along. Q: The latest alliance between the MQM and the JSQM has raised many questions. How do your explain this new-found coalition with an extremist Sindhi nationalist organisation? A: As far as the people of Sindh are concerned, generally the majority of them did not have any doubts in their mind regarding the MQM and JSQM alliance. However, the Punjabi establishment and people on its payroll have gone berserk upon witnessing the unity between the people of urban and rural Sindh. In fact, these elements have started making noises and raising illogical questions. Generally speaking the people of Sindh, however, are extremely happy with the MQM-JSQM coalition. I would like to clarify that the MQM and JSQM coalition is not a new phenomenon; it has existed for several years and stands for the rights of the province of Sindh. Q: What is the MQM’s present political strategy? Will you join other political groups in their campaign against the military regime? A: If any political party wants to join us, we will welcome them in our struggle. We believe in meaningful dialogue and negotiation. Our doors were and are open to any political party that wishes to join us for the attainment of the rights of Sindh in particular and the smaller provinces in general. The MQM is a democratic party and does not believe in any form of dictatorship or undemocratic set-up, including the military government. Q: What is your view on the reports about General Musharraf appointing himself the country’s president? A: When the MQM does not recognise any form of undemocratic government, then how could it approve of a person belonging to an undemocratic forum. Q: Do you think the military regime can be forced to abdicate power through agitation? A: People’s power and people’s unity can do everything against all sorts of oppressive and undemocratic regimes. Q: You have become a champion of the rights of Sindh. Some observers believe it is the politics of expediency? A: MQM’s support has extended to the rural areas. The people of the rural areas have already tested and tried all their leaders. Finally, they have concluded that my party, the MQM, is a true friend of the people of rural Sindh and it is now working in collaboration with the JSQM. As far as the question of political expediency is concerned, I would only like to say that the persons on the payroll of the Punjabi establishment are accusing me of this. However, the people are the best judge as to who is their true friend and who is not. Q: Has any one from the military government contacted you since the coup? A: No, not yet. Q: What is your view on the government’s devolution programme? Will the MQM participate in the local bodies elections? A: The MQM will certainly participate in the local bodies elections under the rule of a democratic government and not under the military government. The devolution programme has to be carried out by an elected government of the province of Sindh and not by the federal government. Q: Now that you are a British national, how is it going to affect your politics? A: Being a British Pakistani, I have full legal right to participate in the politics of Pakistan. As far as my British nationality is concerned, it does not affect my politics and political status in any way. Q: You appear to be very pleased with your new British national status. What is there to be so proud of in acquiring a British passport, for a political leader who espouses the people’s cause? A: I am pleased only because from here I would have the freedom to go to Geneva, where the United Nations deals with the human rights issues, and also throughout the world to apprise the people of the world about the plight of our people, freely. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, it is absolutely impossible to do so. Q: Do you intend to ever return to Pakistan? A: I have been struggling and also trying, since I went into exile, to apprise the international community that Pakistan’s future lies in the “middle class democratic order” and not a “despotic feudal order.” I am optimistic that the international community will certainly understand our point of view. It will use its best efforts for the abolition of the feudal system in vogue in Pakistan and the establishment of a true democratic system. Once that is achieved I will not stay here anymore but return to Pakistan. My mission while living here is to accomplish this goal. Q: Some observers believe that the MQM has lost much of its political support in Karachi? A: These observers should come out of their stupor, take
Alka-Seltzer and the reports of the general strike observed on 18
April 2001 in the whole of Sindh, right from Karachi to Kashmor,
and then ask the masses whether the graph of the MQM’s popularity
has decreased or increased |
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