KARACHI, July 29: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain said on Friday that minorities deserved to be given an unbiased, just and fair treatment in every walk of life and assured them of his party’s untainted support for their equal rights in Pakistan.

Addressing a minorities’ convention in Korangi 3-1/2, Mr Hussain declared that Muttahida was their guarantor because he himself and the MQM members considered them as family members. He said they would march together to ensure an enlightened future for the country, as envisaged by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

The convention was attended by the minorities group belonging to the Bishop of Roman Catholic and St. Peter’s Church as well as representatives of several other Christian, Hindu and Parsi groups belonging to Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

Expressing happiness at the ‘record turnout’, the MQM chief reminded his audience that peace, brotherhood and affection was a common message meant for universal application.

He recalled that the Quaid-i-Azam had a clear vision of the country and had assured minorities of equal rights. But, he said, extremists later hijacked the country and spread hatred in society by their divisive activities. The result was a feeling of uneasiness among the minority communities, he added.

Mr Hussain said that mullahs had led this campaign, but added that their conspiracy would not succeed. He assured the minorities that his party would shield them from the onslaught of religious extremism.

He announced that 22 of the MQM’s minority councillors had already returned unopposed in the local government elections and urged the audience to vote for the MQM candidates in the coming polls.