KARACHI, Sept 18: The founding chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, has called upon India and Pakistan to shun animosity and work together for emancipating their people from the shackles of ignorance, poverty and despair.
He was addressing a huge and jubilant gathering of party activists at Jinnah Ground on the occasion of his 50th birthday celebrations which was observed on Wednesday night all over the city. On the occasion, a big cake was cut to mark the birthday.
Mr Hussain, whose address was vociferously punctuated with slogans, said the people of India and Pakistan don’t need war but food, clothing, shelter and education.
He called upon the two countries to work for peace and learn lessons from erstwhile enemies of the second world war — Germany and France.
He emphasised the need for promoting bilateral trade between India and Pakistan and people-to-people contact through unhindered travelling.
Referring to MQM’s struggle for the rights of the oppressed people, Mr Hussain recalled the torture and repressive measures through which many of his comrades had passed through but remained steadfast in their commitment and even sacrificed their life.
He called for banishing feudalism and serving the toiling millions instead of succumbing to greed and selfishness, for saving the country.
Mr Hussain advized the followers to remain steadfast to the movement and should not look at those who were self-centred and had abandoned party principles.
Mr Hussain had recently expressed serious contempt for those elements within the rank and file of the party who had deviated from ideological moorings, envisioned by him in 1978.
He said self-centred elements who wanted to push their own personal agenda, instead of pursuing party ideology and addressing problems of needy party workers and supporters, would not succeed.
Paying tributes to those who embraced martyrdom while remaining clinched to objectives of the movement or were missing, Mr Hussain said that Establishment had many times tried to eliminate him, but he was saved.
He vowed to continue the struggle for which many people had paid with their lives.
He emphasised that the MQM would continue to work for eliminating feudalism, socio-economic disharmony, and strengthening democratic dispensation. The MQM has also pledged to protect rights of the poor and the down-trodden.
The address was followed by a grand demonstration of fire- works and a cultural show depicting all cultures of the country. Prominent artists gave a colourful performance.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Mehar, Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, ministers Imtiaz Sheikh, Arif Jatoi and others joined the jubilant Muttahida workers and local leaders celebrating the birthday. The veteran and noted singer Mehdi Hasan, using his wheel-chair, also appeared on the stage, despite his prolonged illness.
A 25x40ft wooden platform was specially built in the centre of the Jinnah Ground, which had in the background a big screen displaying Solidarity Evening-2003 with Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
Altaf Hussain spoke for about 40 minutes, which was followed by colourful musical programme which continued till around 6 am.
