Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain proposed the division of Sindh province into 'Sindh-I' and 'Sindh-II' - one for indigenous Sindhis while the other for the remaining ethnic groups residing in the province. Addressing a surge gathering at Karachi, the MQM chief said he never talked about the division of Sindh as "it is mother and must never be partitioned."

"I say to PPP members today, that is, to Sindh's 'number one' - you might as well make an official declaration because you have practically already done so with your actions - that you are the owners of Sindh number one...but at least let Pathans, Sindhis, Kashmiris, Baloch, Punjabis and Urdu-speakingpeople live in 'Sindh number two'," Altaf said.

He criticised PPP for "deliberately" delimiting constituencies for a PPP win in every constituency, saying that the PPP often said, 'We're in the government and can do whatever we can.'

"We had no option but to move the court. The court [Sindh High Court] heard the case for several months and then gave a verdict in our favour."

Altaf also read out the Sindh High Court's verdict, emphatically repeating the words 'gerrymandering' and 'discriminatory' used by the court in its judgement to describe the PPP-led government's delimitation exercise.

The MQM chief criticised "certain anchorpersons" and a "particular TV program" for distorting his words and messages.

He added that it was highly objectionable that if anchorpersons and columnists spoke or wrote in favour of the "MQM's truth" they were labelled as a "sold out".

Altaf complained that representatives a various political parties went all out against his statement on Sindh, declaring it treasonous and worth condemning as no such remark was made. Altaf Hussain said that MQM is, "ready to fight, even when all doors close from all sides".

PPI adds: Altaf Hussain has said they "Sindh is like mother who cannot be divided," adding that if Pakistan People's Party (PPP) cannot treat all those who live in Sindh equally it should give "Sindh-I" to people who support it, and hand over "Sindh-II" to people who do not support it.

He said his party does not believe in politics of revenge. He said that his recent speech at Hyderabad was seen out of the context. He said the genuine rights of people could not be usurped through force or coercion. He said we should learn a lesson from history. He said he is not afraid of anyone, adding they are ready to face stiff challenges.

Altaf harshly criticised PPP. He accused the PPP abandoning "Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's dead body". According to him, the party will also withdraw its opposition to Kalabagh Dam. He said if the PPP considers all residents of Sindh as equal citizens, it should announce the abolishment of quota system.

He said he has never sought the partition of Sindh; but what he has consistently advocated is distribution of resources. He said it was MQM that sent its workers to assemblies on merit to face Waderas and feudal lords. He said it is better to settle issues through a dialogue. He said a dialogue would be in the interest of the country.

Altaf said his struggle is not for a particular group of people, but for all the oppressed sections of society. He bitterly criticised Jamaat-i-Islami and asked people not to invite Jamaat-i-Islami people to their homes.

Recorder Report & Pakistan Press International

Source: Business Recorder