29 February 2004	Sunday	08 Muharram 1425

KARACHI, Feb 28: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief, Altaf Hussain, has demanded full scope inquiry to determine who had given permission and provided air force planes to Dr Qadeer Khan for travelling.

Addressing 17th annual convention of the MQM's labour division here on Saturday, Mr Hussain said that if Dr A.Q. Khan was guilty of clandestine transfer of nuclear technology he should be punished. However, he added that prior to such punishment, the nation must be informed who had given him the permission to visit North Korea, Libya and elsewhere and with whose permission he was provided air force planes (C-130) to travel.

He demanded that the matter should be fully investigated and cautioned against possible change in the US attitude once its present objectives were achieved.

"Today, we are very dear to the United States, but, as soon as the situation changes the issue of nuclear proliferation will crop up and will be reopened to our detriment," he said adding that all decisions should be taken while keeping Pakistan's interests in mind.

Mr Hussain also emphasized that intelligence agencies and army should not interfere in politics. They should keep a vigil on the enemy and national frontiers, he said.

On the occasion, the MQM chief also got approval from the party workers to unseat parliamentarians and remove those party ministers against whom there were complaints.

The approval is an indication of a major shake up in the Muttahida Qaumi Movement soon after Ashura.

Mr Hussain advised his supporters to keep a close vigil on the evolving domestic and international situation because change could take place at anytime. However, he said, "Before taking a position on the change, we must analyze the development."

He also proposed a six-point formula for strengthening the concept of one nation. The six points included end to feudalism, provision of justice to all and banishment of intolerance as well as extremism from society.

He said that a strong Pakistan was only possible if rights of all the federating units were respected and thereby strengthening cultural pluralism.

Mr Hussain claimed that a powerful and oppressive federation would weaken Pakistan and undermine its religious and ethnic harmony. He castigated the oppressive feudalism in Pakistan and regretted that the rulers alone could not act against this menace, which had been haunting the poor people.

In the past, he said, vested interest had pitted one group against another by creating misunderstandings. However, he expressed hope that the people would not fall in such traps again.