HYDERABAD, Sept 3: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has supported the Pakistan-Israel dialogue saying it is aimed at promoting peace and integrity of Pakistan.

He also offered an olive branch to opposition parties, including the JI, MMA and the PPP to come forward and work jointly with the MQM for progress.

He was addressing a public meeting at the Pucca Qilla groud on telephone from London on Friday night.

The meeting marked success of MQM-backed Haq Parast Group candidates in Hyderabad district in the second phase of local body elections.

“If someone denies existence of something it does not mean that no such thing exists on surface,” he said while referring to opposition of the Pakistan-Israel dialogue in order to deny existence of Israel.

He said it was for the first time that Pakistan and Israel talked to each other formally but it was not appreciated back home.

He dismissed opposition to the dialogue process by the MMA saying even the Palestinians were holding talks with Israel which had dismantled occupied Jewish settlements on the Gaza strip.

He said Pakistan must support peace process to see creation of a sovereign Palestinian state because the Palestinians were still passing a terrible life.

He said the situation had greatly changed globally since 9/11 and 7/7 attacks in the USA and the UK, respectively forcing countries to review their policies.

He said it was the need of the hour that Pakistan should re-evaluate its foreign policy and choose correct path.

Mr Hussain underscored the need for supporting Israel-Palestine peace process so that process should not collapse.

He said Pakistan was holding negotiations with Israel in its own interest which should be backed.

He said the people of Hyderabad once again supported Haq Parast candidates who faced army operation, mass arrests, extra-judicial killings, exile and police excesses for several years.

He advised opposition parties to accept results of elections wholeheartedly instead of speaking of rigging.

He asked Haq Parast candidates and ministers to work for development of Hyderabad and Karachi above political considerations.

“I want to see Rani Bagh a real ‘queen’s garden’ and many more such lawns in Hyderabad”, he said.

He said besides playgrounds, girls and boys colleges be established in Hyderabad to provide equal opportunities of education to under-privileged.

He said road infrastructure and sewerage and drainage network be strengthened.