KARACHI, Oct 26: The chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, has urged the government of Pakistan and the world community to immediately look into the strange phenomenon of aftershocks that 150 million people have been experiencing for the past two months.

Terming the tremors a mystery, which have been occurring with frightening frequency, he said that 896 such tremors of 5 or 5.1 on the Richter Scale had already been recorded. He added that experts of earthquakes and natural disasters must look into this matter.

He appealed to the world community and its leaders to expedite the process of bringing aid and succour to the people stranded in the areas devastated by the Oct 8 earthquake. He urged the world to quickly send aid material like blankets and medicine to the victims of the earthquake that left a trail of destruction in the northern parts of Pakistan in its wake.

Mr Hussain said that the United States and other scientifically advanced countries should attend to the strange phenomenon of aftershocks that Pakistanis had been experiencing.

“I personally see much more into these tremors than mere earthquake aftershocks. They need to be thoroughly investigated so that human lives could be saved from another possible disaster,” he said.

The Muttahida chief said that his political party extended supports to all countrymen irrespective of the languages they spoke.

In a telephone talk to Muttahida volunteers and aid workers in Abbottabad and Islamabad, Mr Hussain said that claims made by the leaders of major religious party were empty. He added that their claims were not backed by practical steps either.

The Muttahida chief said that the people of Azad Kashmir and the NWFP had seen which political party had their interests close to its heart.

Mr Hussain said that under Islamic teachings a man must pray and fast, but he should, above all, extend a helping hand to people in distress. He quoted the Prophet (Peace be upon him) as saying that if a man is cooking food for his family, and if neighbours are going hungry, he must share his meal with his neighbours.

He said activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement traversed long distances to take aid to those stranded in earthquake-devastated areas.

He said his political party stood for the rights of the country’s middle class. He said though the Muttahida had been a victim of smear campaign, truth would one day triumph over falsehood.