NAWABSHAH, Nov 18: If one wanted to survive in the world with honour and prestige, one would have to face difficulties and hardships.

These verses of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai were quoted by Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain while delivering a telephonic address to intellectuals, local journalists and MQM workers at Nawabshah Press Club on Saturday.

He alleged that Sindhis were being deprived of their rights in employment, establishment of industries, budget allocation, NFC awards and management of the province.

He said, though PPP and other nationalist parties of Sindh were raising voice for independence and the rights of people, but they have failed to highlight it on international forum.

He informed the gathering that destinations could not be achieved by speeches and demanded a lot of struggle.

He further said that the injustices meted out to the Sindh were the result of collaboration and planning between local feudal and the ‘Punjabi’ Establishment.

While referring to the president, he said a few days ago, General Musharraf publicly stated in America and Turkey that Afghanistan was a multi-national and multi-ethnic country, but, he regretted that he was denying the same in Pakistan.

He said that the religious and jihadi organizations have selected Karachi and not Lahore to retaliate against US attacks on Afghanistan, which was totally injustice as it would destroy the economy of Sindh.

He alleged that these religious parties were part of the Punjabi establishment’s strategy and were getting proper share. He challenged the religious parties to hold an open debate, to settle the issue that nation cannot be formed on the basis of religion.

He said Pakistan government with international community was of the opinion that a multi-ethnic, multinational and broad-based government should be inducted in Afghanistan, but they were quite over the same issue in Pakistan.

He urged that all segments of society should be given an opportunity to represent themselves on national level.

MQM leader said that people need geographical boundaries for their survival and not for religion.

He said only that person was son of Sindh who earned in Sindh, consumed in Sindh and after death was buried in Sindh.

He said that all strikes, demonstrations and rallies were stage in Karachi and not in any city of Punjab, which was a conspiracy against Sindh.

He said that it seemed that Sindh was a colony occupied by Punjabi establishment and resented the handing over of 17 Dehs of district Ghotki to Punjab.

He warned that Sindhis would retaliate against this decision.

Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, deputy convener of the MQM coordination committee and Zahid Qureshi were also present on the occasion.