January 27, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 26, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 26: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said that the problem of Balochistan had cropped up because the people of that province were denied their rights and provincial autonomy.

Talking to journalists and columnists belonging to Rawalpindi and Islamabad and had visited the party’s Karachi headquarters, 90-Azizabad, on Wednesday night, Mr Hussain said: “Balochistan would have not been in such a huge trouble and unrest, had it had enjoyed greater autonomy”.

Mr Hussain said national unity was the need of the hour and it could only be achieved if provinces were given full autonomy.

Mr Hussain said the MQM’s decision to send a fact-finding mission to Balochistan was a sincere effort on part of the party’s leadership to know the real facts.

“Alas, we could not send our mission,” he said.

He dispelled the impression that MQM’s rigid stance on Kalabagh Dam was just opposition for the sake of opposition.

“The fact is that MQM has saved Pakistan through its sincere efforts and principled stand on the issue of Kalabagh Dam.”

Mr Hussain said that Sindh and NWFP would have also suffered similar unrest and dilemma as Balochistan was passing through had the MQM not adopted a principled stand on the Kalabagh Dam issue.

“The commencement of work on the controversial project could have caused immense public reaction and our stand on the issue had, in fact, saved Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Hussain advised federal ministers Shaikh Rashid Ahmed and Sher Afgan Niazi to refrain issuing irresponsible statements because it would further aggravate the situation.

“Sure, President Musharraf has talked about the construction of five dams, including Kalabagh Dam, but these ministers should not issue such irresponsible statements, which could only create problems and lack of trust within people of different areas of the country.”

Besides, Mr Hussain said the people of Punjab were broadminded and unbiased and print media should refrain from writing and publishing the stuff that created hatred and caused damage to the national unity.

He appreciated the positive role of intellectuals and columnists of Punjab whose writings were based on facts and objectivity.

Mr Hussain said the MQM was against the army but it was against the army’s intervention in politics.

“The main duty of the armed forces is to protect borders and not to indulge in politics.”

The MQM leader said that his party’s message was gaining popularity in Punjab’s growing middle class.

Mr Hussain said the party would form a think-tank comprised of MQM leaders and journalists – also from Peshawar and Lahore – that would be consulted from time to time on all national issues.

Replying to a question with regard to Wage Award implementation, he directed Dr Farooq Sattar to seek appointment with the Prime Minister for the one-point agenda.