KARACHI, July 12: Founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has said that victory of his party’s two candidates in the election for Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly was not only success of the two individuals but represented victory of the MQM’s philosophy.

Mr Hussain was telephonically addressing party workers at the ‘Nine Zero’ after the two candidates were declared elected in the unofficial results of the elections late Tuesday night. The candidates, Tahir Khokhar (LA-30 Jammu-I) and Salim Butt (LA-36 Valley-I) were also present on the occasion.

Mr Hussain lauded the courage and steadfastness of Haq Parast workers and expressed his confidence that Mr Khokhar and Mr Butt would prove their metal in the assembly.

He was of the view that their victory symbolised the outreach of MQM’s message, and said this victory would go a long way in dismantling the exploitative feudal system. He said that very soon, the 98 per cent poor people of Pakistan would become the real masters of their destiny.

“Now that the MQM has a foothold in Kashmir, it will also make significant gains in the upcoming national elections in 2007 across Pakistan,” he said.