KARACHI, Sept 25: Founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has called those against any dialogue with India and Israel as the enemies of peace, saying it was not the era of confrontation but that of negotiation and talks. He expressed these views in London on the occasion of his 52nd Birthday celebrations organised by the MQM- United Kingdom Unit.

“The possession of atomic bombs could not prevent the Soviet Union’s disintegration; therefore, we must not be complacent on possessing them. Today’s atom bomb is economy, and we must concentrate on strengthening the country’s economy and denounce the politics of extremism,” said Mr Hussain.

He was of the view that the country was passing through a critical and difficult phase, and said that though opposition parties democratically opposed President Pervez Musharraf, they must stop their politics of agitation, protest, strikes and demonstrations.

Mr Hussain said religious extremism had tarnished the image of Islam throughout the world including in the western countries and had created difficulties for Muslims, particularly Pakistanis.

He appealed to the Muslims living in London to stay away from religious extremists.

Speaking on the role of religious extremists in Pakistan, he said, whenever Pakistan and India entered into a dialogue for resolving the Kashmir issue these elements threatened to erect the Pakistani flag on the Red Fort of Delhi to sabotage the process.

These elements were also against dialogue with Israel whereas Israel’s existence was a reality.

He said that “for sustainable and durable peace in the Middle East the time has come to hold talks with Israel to facilitate the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State where Palestinians can live freely and peacefully”.

Expressing his sympathy with what was happening in Iraq, Mr Hussain prayed for the betterment of Iraqis and peace. “Being a Muslim, we must raise our voice against the difficulties faced by other Muslim countries; however, being a Pakistani we must first think about the security and safety of Pakistan,” stressed Mr Hussain.

Mr Hussain said religious and political parties who had supported the uniform of Gen Ziaul Haq were today against the uniform of President Pervez Musharraf.

He claimed that his party was striving for the establishment of true democracy in the country, eradication of corruption and establishment of the rule of the poor and the middleclass instead of feudal lords’.