KARACHI, Sept 17: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief has commended his party cadre for the success in the local body elections which he said was the result of 28 years of painstaking and tormented years studded with state terrorism and brutalities.

He was addressing party workers at Nine Zero, Hayderabad and Mirpurkhas, on the eve of his 52nd birthday.

While appreciating his supporters for their “commendable” role in the local body elections, Altaf Hussain reminded them of the military operations, midnight raids, torture and extrajudicial killings their comrades had to endure for the glory of the party ideals.

He said that the party would never forget their sacrifices for upholding the cause of the down trodden, equality of mankind and democracy.

Mr Hussain declared that he had always aspired for a just peace among the followers of different religions and declared that even now his energies were diverted towards that.

He emphasized on the egalitarian teachings of Islam which abhorred discrimination between people on the basis of cast, creed, and religion.

He said that the MQM also wanted social justice and equality as spelt out by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in his last sermon.

Mr Hussain asked the rulers to save Pakistan by giving the provinces their rights and should not declare provinces as traitors when they demand their rights.

He asked the workers to pledge that they would not indulge in corruption and advised them not to be dragged into uncalled war of mudslinging and leg pulling.

He called for unity within ranks and directed party workers to boycott those who indulged in creating groups within the party.