KARACHI, Jan 21: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain said on Saturday that his party was opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestation. He was talking to a delegation of Pakistani students studying in the United Kingdom at the International Secretariat in London.

“The foreigners who are using Pakistani soil to carry out such acts of terrorism must now realize that because of their presence in our country, not only the image of Pakistan is getting tarnished internationally, but innocent Pakistanis are also being killed,” he said.

Mr Hussain asked such foreigners and their masters who were responsible for the acts of terrorism nationally and internationally to leave Pakistan for the sake of safety and security of the country and its innocent citizens.

He impressed upon the overseas Pakistani students to present a true picture to the international community by telling them that the Muslims of Pakistan are liberal, tolerant, democratic, peace-loving people and hate terrorism and religious fanaticism. They believe in religious harmony, national integrity and solidarity.

The delegation expressed concern over the situation after the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London, and said that Pakistan’s image was being tarnished and Muslims, especially of Pakistani origin, were worried over the situation.

Mr Hussain told the delegation that because of the activities of a handful of terrorists and miscreants, the image of Islam and Pakistan had suffered although the people of Pakistan were against terrorism and kept themselves totally disassociated from terrorists and all acts of terrorism.

He requested the students to forward his message to all Pakistani students living abroad that they should present themselves as role models of tolerance and humility and must portray a true image of Islam and Pakistan.