KARACHI, June 11: London-based chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, has urged the government to ban political activities of religious groups in the country and make them work within the confines of religious institutions.

In a telephonic address to the activists of the Muttahida and the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the APMSO, Altaf cautioned the rulers against repeating the mistake of 1970 that led to the dismemberment of the country.

He sought to dispel the impression that after becoming part of the government the MQM would avenge the excesses committed against it.

The occasion was celebrated with fireworks and slogans expressing complete dedication to the ideals of the leader.

Altaf warned the rulers of the negative consequences of denying adequate representation to the people of Sindh and Balochistan in the armed forces and the law enforcement agencies.

He said that because of the discriminatory policies of weak governments in the past the country could not make the required economic progress, and was lagging far behind India whose progress could only be attributed to the fact that she had long rid herself of feudalism.

He said the MQM was an ideological party and knew that the police, the rangers and any other government agency could not do what they did to the Mohajirs on their own.

“I ask those government functionaries who were involved in excesses against our people to seek Allah’s forgiveness and support the Haqparasts,” he said.

The MQM chief said that his party’s struggle was not against individuals or institutions, but against an exploitative system. He claimed that if his party was given a free hand it could demolish the feudal system and make Pakistan a progressive state.

He declared that the MQM was prepared to forgive all those who had worked to damage the party and victimised its activists.

Mr Hussain advised the youth to concentrate on acquiring knowledge and pursue education in order to surmount the odds against them and their movement. He said they must show respect to their elders.

Earlier, deputy convener of the MQM coordination committee, Dr Farooq Sattar, said his party had opened up one no-go area and now it would focus on eliminating such no-go areas from educational institutions.

He also said efforts were being made to remove impediments to the return of their leader.

IMRAN: It was also announced on the occasion that Dr Imran Farooq, who was suspended from the MQM’s coordination committee, has been reinstated as convener.