LAHORE, Sept 26: Exiled MQM chief Altaf Husain sees ‘revolution in the country’ when a voice is raised against feudalism in the Punjab. He was speaking telephonically from London to a ceremony in the city held for, as the MQM claims, hundreds of councillors elected in the province with its support.

Several Sindh ministers belonging to the party were also present.

Welcoming the participants, Mr Husain said the MQM was the only political party of the middle class as it had never given ticket to any feudal or capitalist who, he said, had taken the entire country hostage.

He said he was not anti-Pakistan, as had been propagated by some agencies, but was against those Pakistanis who had plundered the national wealth. He was critical of the opposition resorting to strikes and protests, saying the country was passing through a crucial phase due to regional instability and such steps could damage the motherland.

Referring to the bifurcation of the country in 1971, Husain held responsible politicians and army generals. He said the Bengalis were neither given share in governance nor in official jobs according to their numerical strength.

“When people demanded their rights, an army operation was launched in which tens of thousands Bengali women were raped and their families were massacred,” he said, adding that the facts were not told to Punjab and rest of Pakistan.

He held secret agencies responsible for Mohajir-Punjabi and Mohajir-Pathan riots in Karachi to cause hatred against the MQM among the masses.

Earlier Punjab coordination committee members Nauman Sehgal and Tahir Mashhadi announced that organization bodies would soon be set up at all districts in the province.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...