MQM holds protest rallies against PML
From Zeeshan Mirza

KARACHI—Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday bursting-out on Pakistan Muslim League and its leadership said that President Musharraf was seemed to be helpless and compelled ahead of PML-Q, adding “basically he (President) does not understand these elements (PML leadership) who are his enemy in friends’ cover.”
He made these remarks, while addressing a protest rally organized by MQM here at Old Numaish Chowrangi against, what the MQM said dictatorial conduct of PML-Q and its President Ch. Shujaat Hussain, holding of talks with Ulema on the controversial Women’s Protection Bill and not taking MQM into confidence on the important issues. Lashing out at the PML-Q and it leadership the MQM Chief asked, “now PML leadership have to clear it whether they consider MQM ally or rival”. He warned the PML that it must not consider Punjab its property, saying that MQM was against feudalism and Wadera system and any one came in the way would be considered as its (MQM) enemy.
He alleged that a series of raids against MQM activists and office bearers in Punjab and their arrest had been started and their family members were being harassed. ‘Despite all these ‘atrocities’ the ‘Haq Parast’ people of Punjab for the sake of rule of middle class and unprivileged section of society, which make 98 percent of the total population of the country, can lay down their lives but would not bow down to cruel and oppressors”, he noted. Demanding to stop the alleged conducting of raids on the houses of MQM activists and leaders in Punjab and their arrests, Mr Hussain said that such kinds of action against the allied party were ‘illegal’ and against the ‘democratic norms’.
If the ‘atrocities’ were not stopped then the activists of MQM Sindh were not wearing bangles, he said, warning that if the ‘oppressions’ against MQM worker in Punjab do not stop immediately then any airplane carrying the ‘oppressors’ to Karachi would not be allowed to land in Sindh metropolis.
MQM leader said that thorough discussion and deliberation on Women Protection Bill was held, when it was tabled in National Assembly and after considering every pros and cons of the it the bill was passed from the lower house then they bill also get the ascent of Senate before being made Act of Parliament by President signing it. “Then, what are the needs for holding talks with the ‘so-called mullas’ on the bill, he questioned. It is true that dialogue was part of democracy but, he asked, where it has been written that dialogue should be held with only the ‘so-called mullas’ and neglects his ally and the ‘credible’ political party, Altaf noted.
He claimed that the PML leader who held meeting with Ulema had no knowledge of Islam, “when they will be asked about the definition of Islam, some one of them would answer, Islam is our watchman, another reply would be Islam cooked delicious food, while the other would reply, Islam is very hard working” He declare that the MQM leadership and it workers had more knowledge than the PML leaders about Islam. But, none of them were included in the talks, he deplored. He alleged that PML-Q has become habitual of taking unilateral decisions by ignoring its allies and whenever they trapped in some quagmires then they call us. He said that MQM was a democratic party and believes in dialogue and discussion culture, adding that it had the power of tolerance and know how to face difficult situations. Altaf Hussain said that the government was being run on adhocism and few families either there would be a military government or democracy in the country, they were seen part of all the governments.