KARACHI, March 24: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has said that he was opposed to military regimes and martial laws, but if any general would impose a martial law to banish feudalism, he would strongly support him.
Speaking at the 19th founding day of the MQM in London, Mr Hussain called for banishing feudalism which he said was the biggest impediment to the progress of the country.
He also maintained that the current US-Iraq war was not a conflict between Islam and other civilizations.
While expressing concern over the killing of innocent Iraqis, Mr Hussain, he pointed out that massive protest rallies in Europe and other non-Muslim countries emphasise that the present conflict was not a war between the followers of different faiths.
Mr Hussain lashed out at the religious parties for what he termed misleading the people by exploiting their religious sentiments in the name of jehad and by criticizing the US for attacking Iraq.
He cautioned that if the religious parties provoked sentiments against the followers of other religions, it would have a negative impact on the Muslims living in the non-Muslim countries.
He called for refraining from evoking the sentiments of the people and underlined the need for addressing the genuine problems of the people whole have been suffering since the inception of this country.
Mr Hussain cautioned against the looming threat to Pakistan’s security and was of the view that this could not be ensured by a strong military alone. He was of the view that complete national unity was an answer to the challenge.
Mr Hussain condemned those who had accused him of anti-state activities and said time would prove who, through the brutal use of force, caused harm to the integrity and security of the country and who slaughtered Bengali Muslims and assaulted women.
Mr Hussain regretted that though Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report had been released, partially, none of those responsible for such crimes, had been punished.
Mr Hussain stressed the need for inviting political and nationalist leaders from all the provinces and after listening to their views, the federation should retain only a few ministries and give provincial autonomy to the provinces as per their demand. He said if injustices continue, even real brothers fall out and separate.
Criticising the religious leaders and parties for misguiding innocent people through their emotional slogans of jehad and sending them into Afghanistan and Kashmir, he called for taking a pragmatic and detached view of the developments within and around the country.
