ISLAMABAD: Though the residents of the federal capital have been listening to fiery political speeches besides bracing themselves for the sit-ins, on Friday an event was held where the participants spoke on the topic of ‘love’.

The event was held to launch the English version of a book, Philosophy of Love, written by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain.

Speaking on the occasion, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said, “We have to give the message of love to the people who have been exploited by radicalism and feudalism.”

He said the nation gave chances to a number of political parties to form governments. “If the people give a chance to the MQM, we guarantee that we will not disappoint them.”

He said for the last 67 years successive rulers had been asking the citizens to believe them. “But now it is the need of the hour that the rulers should believe the people.”

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said people of Pakistan had been facing divisions and hatred.

MQM leader says people exploited by radicalism need a message of love

They need a message of love which is linked with life. He said the book had been launched at a right time. “Altaf Hussain has changed the rule of the game by injecting the middle class into politics. He is in touch with the people and by reading the book anyone can feel the romantic side of Altaf Hussain,” he said.

He said sit-ins held in Islamabad gave the people confidence to face crises and then move on.

“Political parties are biggest source to unite Pakistan. Political forces, media and the civil society should be united to build Pakistan,” he said.

Human rights activist Marvi Sirmed said the book had given a message of peace.

Referring to a topic in the book, Ms Sirmed said the MQM chief had very rightly said everything cannot be fair in love and war.

Everything is fair in love and war is an English quote and once implemented in the West. “I believe that if we allow everything fair in love and war, we will have no right to criticise the Taliban,” she said.

Journalist Hamid Mir said the book had cleared the difference between love and lust. “Love can change everything,” he added.

Zulfiqar Sindhu, another journalist, said Mr Hussain had warned much earlier that the country would face terrorism but at that time nobody was willing to pay a heed to his warning.

“It was only the MQM which picked a person from the middle class and made him a parliamentarian. A person belonging to the lower middle class was made the mayor of Karachi,” he said.

The book is based on a lecture delivered by Mr Hussain in 2003.

Published in Dawn, October 25th , 2014