KARACHI: Altaf lauds spirit of co-existence

Published December 24, 2002

KARACHI, Dec 23: The chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Husain, has said the Sindhi and Urdu speaking people have learnt to live like brothers, and now there is no dispute between them over the posts of chief minister and governor.

Addressing a convention, organized under the aegis of the Mohajir Rabita Council, on Sunday by phone from London, he said neither the urdu-speaking people had grievances over the election of a Sindhi-speaking chief minister, nor did the Sindhi-speaking people feel anything against the appointment of an Urdu-speaking man governor of Sindh.

Mr Husain said the name of the NWFP should now be changed to Pakhtunistan. “I am a strong supporter of the idea and do not care about any criticism from any side,” he added.

“The sacrifices of Mohajirs for the creation of Pakistan are now being recognized and the process of treating them as equal citizens of Pakistan has also begun,” he said.

In a statement, he once again announced forgiveness for all those who joined the Haqiqi under pressure.

He said the MQM did not believe in coercion and violence as it wanted to carry on its struggle peacefully.

He said those who joined the Haqiqi and wanted to return to the Muttahida fold should contact the MQM’s central leaders, zones, sectors and other departments.

They would be warmly welcomed back into the party fold and pardoned.