KARACHI, Oct 27: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has put his weight behind the demand for the reopening of Khokhrapar-Monabao rail link between Pakistan and India and said that integrity of the people and leaders of Sindh should not be questioned on making such a demand.

He was addressing members of the Legal Aid Committee of his party Sunday night. Members of the Adhoc Committee were also present on the occasion.

Mr Hussain’s remarks came a few days after the 12-point Indian peace proposals, which included revival of Khokhrapar route, were announced.

He regretted reports appearing in some newspapers of Punjab that if Khokhrapar route was reopened, then Sindhi leaders would have direct contacts with Indians.

Mr Hussain said: “When a bus service is started between Amritsar and Lahore and a train service is opened between the two cities, no one questions the integrity of the people of Punjab. Such an attitude only means that we have not learnt lessons from the events of 1971. Such attitude have boosted intolerance, lack of trust, and hatred.”

Mr Hussain said that when parliamentarians and members from other walks of life from Punjab visited India and talked of promoting peace, no one questioned their integrity. No one said anything when Maulana Fazalur Rahman headed a peace mission to India. But it is regrettable that when someone from Sindh visits India, his integrity is questioned, which is not acceptable and justified. He said that such a thinking could lead to a disaster.

While reviewing the consequences of foreign policy initiatives during the past 56 years, he claimed that owing to short-sighted and adhoc approach, Pakistan did not maintain friendly relations with Afghanistan and India. With China also, he added, Pakistan was not at the same level of understanding.

Mr Hussain stressed that there was a need to learn a lesson from the failure of the policy of relying on foreign powers who could save Pakistan from fragmentation in 1971. He emphasized that lack of trust (in countrymen) would not be helpful in forging national unity which was imperative in view of the evolving security environment in South Asia.

The MQM chief also expressed his concern over growing Indo-Israel relationship and also over the hardened Indian position against Pakistan which, he said, was indicative of a future threat.

He cautioned against revival of religious intolerance and warned that if such elements were propped up with official support, this could be very bad for the country.

Mr Hussain called for improving communication and understanding among different groups of people within the country and the region.

He also directed the Legal Aid Committee to continue its efforts for seeking release of interned activists.