KARACHI, Dec 16: Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain has said December 16 was a grim reminder of the fact that suppressing the voice of smaller provinces would have disastrous results, according to a statement issued here. “On this day, 34 years ago the country split into two. It was the high-handedness of those in authority then that they denied the fruits of electoral verdict to the Bengalis and brought humiliation to their country as a result,” he said.

In an interview, he said he wanted to make it clear on the unfortunate day of our history that wisdom should prevail among those trying to force their decision on smaller provinces.

He said the MQM has made it abundantly clear that it sided with the aspirations of the people of Sindh and would do nothing against their wishes. If there was no consensus on the Kalabagh dam in Sindh, he said, the MQM too would oppose it.

In the meantime, addressing a Mehfil-e-Mustafa majlis at Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir on Friday, Altaf Hussain said that the MQM had made humanitarian service its prime objective and was following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in letter and spirit.