SUKKUR, Jan 27: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has called upon the Urdu- and Sindhi-speaking people of Sindh to respect each other and promote love and tolerance to defeat the designs of what he termed ‘so-called nationalists’.

Addressing on phone from London a large public meeting here on Friday, he said the MQM followed the teachings of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai whereas the nationalists were playing an evil game to widen the divide between the two communities to promote their vested interests.

He said the MQM had vigorously fought against the Kalabagh dam project and struggled to end the status quo over the past three decades.

Mr Hussain said Sindh which generated 70 per cent of national revenue would become prosperous and self-reliant if it was given its due share. He asked how the province could solve its problems with only 30 per cent funds allocated by the federal government.

He said the MQM stood for eliminating the feudal culture.

He criticised the political parties led by ‘family dynasties’ where ordinary people were ignored and said the MQM believed in the rule of the poor and there was no room in it for leaders’ favourites.

He appealed to people to identify their real enemies and said he would even sacrifice his life to protect the honour of Sindh.

Referring to recent incidents of target killings in Karachi, he said vested interests had started pitting Shias and Sunnis against each other and called upon all sections of the society to guard against such elements.

The MQM chief said there were no new or old Sindhis, all of them were equal.

He said the MQM stood for the unity of Sindh and had always been against its division.

He said his party had upheld the sanctity of the places of worship of all religions and sects and had also been raising voice against honour killings and kidnappings for ransom, especially in the rural areas of Sindh.

He said Sukkur had been neglected and most people in Sukkur were deprived of potable water although the city was on the bank of a mighty river. He said no major project had been launched in the city. He urged the federal and provincial governments to jointly build a large hospital and a university of international standard in Sukkur.

He said the Ghulam Mohammad Mahar Medical College and the railway system in the region were in a dismal condition.

Mr Hussain claimed that MQM’s message was gaining momentum in rural areas.

He demanded special security measures for people in Sindh’s rural areas who were struggling against feudal domination.

The MQM, he said, would soon hold a big public meeting in Punjab.

Mr Hussain also announced a Rs1 million donation for the Sukkur Press Club.

He said the MQM had ably managed the provincial capital and presented the Karachi rights bill in the National Assembly and it would also fight for the rights of other parts of Sindh.

Deputy convener of MQM rabita committee Dr Farooq Sattar and other leaders also addressed the meeting.

A large number of people from different parts of the province attended the meeting held in the railway station ground.