03 August 2004	Tuesday	16 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

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KARACHI, Aug 2: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has advised the government, of which it is also a partner, not to send troops to Iraq or any other country.

At its meeting here on Sunday, the party took stock of the situation, in this context, within and outside the country and made public its decision on Monday.

It was of the view that despite a negative fallout on national security, if the option of sending troops to Iraq under certain compulsions was being thought about, then a referendum should be held to solicit public opinion.

The meeting deplored killing of two Pakistanis in Iraq by those resisting US policies vis-a-viz Iraq. A statement issued after the meeting said the MQM strongly opposed terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whether within or outside Pakistan.

Recognizing that Pakistan, at the moment, is faced with a grave situation and that the state of internal security is under control, the MQM held the view that the country had been targeted by extremists while the situation in Wana remained critical.

It also noted with concern that important national personalities, including the president and finance minister, were targeted by terrorists. The meeting observed that Iraqi people were enraged by reports of the possibility that Pakistan might send its troops to that battered country.

In this regard, it also referred to the kidnapping of foreign nationals by Iraqi militants resisting US occupation and opposing presence of foreign forces in their country.

The meeting believed that it was not the opportune time to send Pakistani troops to Iraq. Such a move would not be in the national interest as it would have far reaching negative consequences for the country, the MQM leadership said.

OPERATION: MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday had a telephonic conversation with the Balochistan National Party chief Sardar Ataullah Mengal to expressed his concern over the ongoing operation in some parts of Balochistan.

Sardar Mengal briefed Mr Hussain about the bombardment, and the damage caused by it, in Turbat, Gwadar, Kohlu, Mekran, Chaman and other areas of the province. "The Baloch people are being punished for demanding their due rights," said Mr Mengal, adding that the history of 1973 was being repeated.

Mr Hussain agreed with him that people of Balochistan and Sindh had been neglected and deprived of their rights, and that they were facing this treatment for long. Mr Hussain expressed the view that the policy of suppressing people's voice was not prudent. He also expressed solidarity with the people of Balochistan in this grave situation.