January 17, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 07, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 16: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said that the army can defend the sovereignty and independence of the country only with the support of the masses.

According to a press release, Mr Hussain addressed a meeting of the party’s coordination committee in London on Wednesday. Convenor Dr Imran Farooq and other senior leaders attended the meeting.

The MQM chief said that even a strong army could not protect the country on its own; it needed the support of people.

He appealed to all political and religious leaders to rise above their personal and party interests because the country’s sovereignty, security and independence were at stake.

He said the country was passing through its most critical phase since its independence 60 years ago. “In 1971, the country was dismembered but a glimmer of hope remained in the form of West Pakistan for those who loved the country. But, unfortunately the people who formulated our foreign policy failed to assess the short-term and long-term benefits and risks.”

Pakistan is a sovereign country and a member of United Nations, but the media is reporting today that its nuclear programme is under threat and may fall into the hands of extremists. The media is also saying that foreign forces may unilaterally take action inside the country. The situation, he said, required all political parties to subordinate their personal and party interests to the interests of the country’s independence and sovereignty.

He said that if all political and religious parties get united on a one-point agenda of saving the country the MQM would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them and would be ready to offer sacrifices for the country.

He also appealed to writers and intellectuals to promote unity through their work and said this was not the time to project ideological differences.