KARACHI, May 8: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday said that his mother made him strong willed and guided him in his resolve never to compromise on principles and always speak the truth, without fear. Mr Hussain said this in a message read out in the MQM’s women’s wing function held at Khurshid Begum hall to observe the international mothers’ day.   The function was presided over by Tahira Begum, sister of Mr Hussain and was addressed among others by Mrs Nasreen Jaleel and others.  

Mr Hussain in his message dedicated the day to his mother Khurshid Begum and said that she always taught him never to compromise on principles.

In this context he cited the incident when he was sent to jail for over nine months during General Zia’s rule while protesting to demand repatriation of stranded Pakistanis from the former East Pakistan.  

He said that when he was in prison, representatives of establishment met his mother and advised her to seek my apology or to do the same herself. But Mr Hussain said his mother refused to do that and said she would not ask her son to apologize because he had committed no crime.   Mr Hussain said that the incident strengthened his resolve and commitment in remaining firm on principles.