MQM working for strengthening democracy and national reconciliation: Altaf
LONDON, March 22 (APP)-Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Husain said Friday the decision to withdraw the candidature of Dr.Farooq Sattar from the post of prime minister was based on partys conviction in strengthening democracy and national reconciliation.
Speaking at a function held in the north London district of Edgware to celebrate the 24th Foundation Day of the party, he said the party took the unconditional decision following telephone call from PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari who pleaded for peace and harmony in Sindh.
The MQM leader who spoke for an hour before an enthusiastic audience said Pakistan was passing through a critical phase of his history and it was imperative that all political forces unite to surmount these difficulties.
He spoke of the growing stature of MQM and said with each national elections, the party has strengthened its position both in the national and Sind assemblies.
Husain described MQM as a democratic and secular party of the middle class.
Speaking about the February 18 Parliamentary polls, he said MQM felicitated PPP,PML-N and ANP on their electoral successes and as well as PML-Q for attaining the highest number of total votes cast.
MQM was the only political party that announced to support winning parties and promised not to create hurdles in the formation of the governments, he said.
Adapting a conciliatory attitude, Hussain forgave all parties for the sake of national interest which he said had assumed unfriendly attitude towards MQM.
However, he warned that Pakistan could not progress unless the middle class was given its due share in the affairs of the country and hegemony of the feudal and the rich class was broken.
He claimed MQM was the only party that awarded tickets to its workers and not to the relatives of the party leadership unlike the other major parties. This tendency of awarding tickets to near and dear ones must be broken if the country has to move forward and strengthen the democracy.
Altaf Hussain said PML-N had criticised MQM but he holds no grudge against Nawaz Sharif and recognize the mandate won by his party.
In Parliament, he said MQM will support all the positive measures of the Government taken in the national interest but not lag behind in criticising if it steps out of line.
We will criticise wrong policies in a positive manner but would not indulge in any rude behaviour or resort to desk thumping, he said.
Lamenting that MQM has not been recognised at heart, he said it remains the only party which desire to break the status quo and rid the country of the unpleasant influence of the feudal and jagirdars while promoting middle class and honest people.
He promised that when in power MQM would retrieve the ill-gotten wealth stashed abroad and use it for the welfare of the people. Hussain said it was time for Pakistan to stand on its own feet and be counted rather than being on the crutches of international aid agencies and financial houses.
Senior members of the party leadership were also present on the occasion.
Associated Press Of Pakistan - MQM working for strengthening democracy and national reconciliation: Altaf