KARACHI, Feb 28: The founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, on Tuesday condemned the publication of the blasphemous cartoons in some European newspapers and asked its allies in the coalition government to take up this sensitive issue in the United Nations.

His condemnation was voiced in a telephonic address to the Labour Division’s convention.

“Today’s convention of the MQM’s labour division condemns the publication of sacrilegious cartoons and demands President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to take up this sensitive issue in the UN to reflect the shock and grief of the Muslims, which they have suffered in its aftermath,” a resolution passed by the MQM’s labour division in its 19th annual convention, which the party’s leader based in London presided over on telephone.

In another resolution, the government was asked to award 50 per cent shares of all major institutions with national importance to the public and ensure participation of small investors in the privatization policy.

Yet another resolution demanded the authorities to ensure that jobs in privatized organizations remained secured so that the monster of joblessness could be reined in.

One other resolution demanded the government to consult the collective bargaining agents (CBA) and labour unions of privatized institutions before putting up an institution for sale.

Earlier, Mr Altaf Hussain’s address criticized the opposition parties for using the issue of blasphemous cartoons for gaining ‘petty’ political mileage.

“The Opposition’s mullahs are using people in the name of the Prophet (SAW) in the name of political mileage,” Mr Hussain.

He appealed to the opposition to protest against the social evils and political differences.

The MQM leader said the MQM had formed a large fact finding mission to proceed to Balochistan, but the Baloch sardars did not allow them to enter to their area.

He said the Baloch sardars had boycotted a national conference organized by the MQM but the very people sat happily with the PPP and the MMA.