KARACHI, June 16: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief, Altaf Hussain, has deplored that in Pakistan, the establishment has evolved a system through which the poor and suppressed masses are being crushed and feudal lords, Waderas, criminals and plunderers are being patronized and protected.

Addressing the office-bearers of the Sindh Organizing Committee of the MQM over the phone from London, according to a fax received at Dawn, Mr Hussain pointed out that in the civilized world, laws are framed to provide security and protection to all its citizens. But in Sindh, he charged, the agents of feudal lords and Waderas, through their hired elements, have let loose a reign of terror on Sindhi-speaking brethren struggling from the MQM platform.

He said that the establishment, under the planned policy of British rulers, had delegated all powers to local feudal lords to carry on their oppressive policy of torturing, naked march of women, kidnapping for ransom and other anti-social crimes, while the police and other law-enforcement agencies remained silent spectators. However, the agencies’ personnel are very prompt in initiating severe action against the oppressed if they confront feudal lords against their tyranny, he added. In certain cases, he said, ransom money was paid after negotiation through government agencies.