15 August 2004	Sunday	28 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, Aug 14: Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain has said that the remaining part of Pakistan could be saved only if mistakes of the past were not repeated.

Mr Hussain, in his message on the 57th Independence Day, stressed the need for equal treatment of all citizens irrespective of colour, race, ethnicity, language, region, province, sects and schools of thought.

He said at this juncture when the country was celebrating its 57th Independence day, an impartial analysis must be made of our achievements and losses during our existence. He reiterated that this class of persons preferred the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971 instead of giving rights to their own fellow Bengali countrymen.

Unfortunately no lesson was learnt from the tragedy of the dismemberment of the country and these practices were going on unabated, even now. The people of Balochistan, NWFP and Sindh provinces were termed traitors, their voices were suppressed through use of brute state power.

He said on this occasion of 57th independence day we have to decide whether remaining Pakistan was dear to us or the inequitable and barbaric practices and policies.

He also appealed to the masses to plant at least one tree in their neighbourhood to manifest their role in freeing the environment from pollution.