KARACHI, Jan 21: MQM chief Altaf Hussain has asked the intellectuals of the country to keep the nation abreast of the latest and sensitive situation in and around Pakistan in order to prepare them to cope with all eventualities.

He was speaking at the launch of Arshad Husain’s book `Halaat ke taqaze’ at the Lal Qila ground in Azizabad on Saturday evening.

Mr Husain regretted that the people have been kept in the dark in critical days of 1965 and 1971.

Intellectuals had failed to play their due role, and their inability to focus on the situation prevailing then resulted in the country’s break-up.

Mr Husain said the country couldnot be saved merely by its nuclear capability.

It could only be saved through love and brotherhood, essential ingredients for any society’s progress.

Intellectuals, he said, had onerous responsibilities of informing the countrymen about the real economic and social conditions in the country.

Citing his own example where he had to suffer imprisonment and ignominies but he stood his ground and overcame the problems in his way,

Altaf Hussain said the world had known some of the greatest poets and intellectuals. They vanished after some time but their works became a valuable assets for the posterity.

In this context he referred to the passing away of noted poet Mohsin Bhopali and prayed for his soul to rest in eternal peace.

He said it was the duty of every citizen of the country to keep himself abreast of the changing situation and if possible bring them on record for history to benefit.

He regretted that a section of the population was bent on highlighting the USA’s worries in Iraq and Afghanistan, but such a group conveniently overlooks the dangers surrounding our own country.

He said that in 1965 and 1971 the nation was told of the Pakistan armed forces’ advances but the bitter truth was that the forces succeeded neither in 1965 nor in 1971.

He said instead of informing the countrymen of the real situation, intellectuals were focusing their energies on Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, and the uniform of President Musharraf. No intellectual or leader of the country concentrated on economic situation and sensitive matters, he said.

NEW YEAR: MQM Chief Altaf Husain has extended his greetings to the Muslims across the world on the occasion of Islamic new year, saying that the Islamic year begins and ends with great sacrifices.