Peshawar attack united nation against terrorism: Altaf

Dawn.com Agencies Published December 19, 2014

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Friday took out a rally on M A Jinnah Road from Tibet Center in solidarity with victims of Peshawar carnage and Pakistan Army.

Speaking on the occasion, MQM chief Altaf Hussain paid tribute to the victims of the deadly Taliban siege of an army-run school that killed almost 150 people, mostly children.

He said this great national tragedy has united the country against terrorism.

“The lights of knowledge were put off by the terrorists. I salute to Pak Army and other law enforcement agencies for countering terrorism… In order to save the country and its honour, we need to eradicate all terrorists from our country,” said the MQM chief.

Altaf Hussain said no religion teaches violence, adding that whoever does wrong in the name of religion is himself a culprit.

The MQM chief, on the occasion, demanded arrest of Lal Masjid’s chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz, who openly justifies acts of Taliban and other militant groups and has refused to condemn the Taliban attack on Peshawar school.

Altaf Hussain also demanded closure of Jamia Hafsa, a radical religious seminary on the premises of Islamabad’s infamous Lal Masjid, the site of an army operation and siege in 2007.

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Mazhar Khan

Dec 19, 2014 09:44pm

Yes Abdul Aziz should be arrested on charges of treason and his school should be closed for spreading radicalisation seeds in minds of young generation

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Najma

Dec 19, 2014 09:49pm

Finally a Sane and brave voice. United against fascism of Talibans

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amit

Dec 19, 2014 10:40pm

Good news, with the hanging of 2 terrorist and these demonstrations, u ppl have started the war, brothers now pls be brave, ur resolve will be tested many times, there might be many more attacks pls be prepared, but this fight is worth it, u owe it to ur future generations and to ur country

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shantanu

Dec 19, 2014 11:17pm

i agree with MQM

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Munz

Dec 19, 2014 11:19pm

Why is this 'school' still operating??

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Riaz

Dec 19, 2014 11:24pm

Lets pray that nation doesn't forget the tragedy and remain united for times to come.

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yogi

Dec 19, 2014 11:40pm

They say public memory is short.

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Anwar Amjad

Dec 19, 2014 11:45pm

The people who give tacit support to the terrorists should also be charged for treason and punished. There should be zero tolerance for the people involved in ant-state activities. Anybody who raises gun at the security forces must be shot back and killed. Enough is enough.

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Shafia

Dec 20, 2014 12:09am

I never liked MQM, but now they won my heart, from now on it's only MQM and Altaf Hussain all the way !

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Shan Kazmi

Dec 20, 2014 12:52am

MQM and especially its chief have always been very much vocal to curb this Taliban manace for the past few years, but nobody paid heed to it except the followers of MQM. No other party or forum can be so crystal clear and vocal about such matters of prime national interests. There is time to put our all out efforts to eradicate the religious extremism from our country. We have an uphill task of countering terrorism at all levels. Let us join hands with Pakistan Army, Rangers, para-military forces and police to effectively fight against terrorists, its very ideology and thoughts.

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Khan-Haqiqi

Dec 20, 2014 12:53am

The only leader wo warned of this danger years back and have the same stand against Taliban.you can hate him due to ethnicity but he is a true Pakistani

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DMDiL

Dec 20, 2014 12:59am

did it really need to say MQM in banners? everything else seems like a great effort.. Keep it up..

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ali

Dec 20, 2014 01:01am

Cant we unite without these tragedies. if this is the bench mark nothing is going to change.

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Haque Parast

Dec 20, 2014 03:26am

@Najma not finally... this poor guy has been crying Talibanization for many years now but nobody listens. If only we had listened instead of humoring him.. perhaps the Peshawar attack could have been avoided.

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G,Nabi

Dec 20, 2014 04:16am

If you are so concerned about the nation then come back to Karachi, like other heads of parties, come back & march with your workers.

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Key Points

Dec 20, 2014 04:54am

Too many speeches, not enough actions against terrorists, target killers and bhatta khores.

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Abp

Dec 20, 2014 05:59am

I am not a fan of man. However, I admire them for their stance on Taliban--They have been consistent, candid and correct. Maybe we should give Altaf Hussain a chance-- nothing to lose as the benchmark is pretty low....

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CHANAKYA

Dec 20, 2014 06:02am

Talibanisation of Pakistan started because of their inherent intolerance against the indigenous Ahmedias who were persecuted and slaughtered.Next, it was the turn of the Shias and Ismailis followed by mass murders of Baluchis.All this was happening under the vigilant eyes of the Authorities who chose to look the other side when the ghastly events were happening in Pakistan.Today the matter has attained a gargantuan proportion and it is very difficult to stop the juggernaut.

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Babay

Dec 20, 2014 08:29am

I wholeheartedly support MQM Quid Altaf Bhai demand the closure of terrorist training centre in the heart of the Capital and arrest of Mullahs Abdul Aziz under the terrorist act before his dismissal from the as head cleric of the mosque.

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john

Dec 20, 2014 03:48pm

@G,Nabi AH is more informed living far away then those in Pakistan, and as you know absence makes the heart grow fonder and it is certainly the case with Altaf Hussain who is far away but closer to its people.

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