Shujaat assured of Muttahida’s unequivocal support

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday announced their unequivocal support to PML(Q) while MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that his party had been with the PML, it is with it and will remain with it in future also. The party’s announcement and Altaf Hussain’s assurance in this regard emerged on the occasion of a meeting between PML(Q) and Muttahida leadership at MQM headquarter here on Sunday afternoon.
In the meeting which lasted for about 50 minutes the PML(Q) team was led by its President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. He was accompanied by PML(Q) Secretary-General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Engr. Amir Muqam, Senator Ghaffar Qureshi, Tariq Hasan Khan, Aleem Adil Shaikh, Bostan Ali Hoti and Amanullah Khan Paracha.
The Muttahida side was represented by its Rabita Committee Deputy Convenor Dr Farooq Sattar, former federal minister Babar Khan Ghauri, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Anwar Alam, Shahid Lateef, Ashfaq Mangi, Dr Aasim, Nek Mohammed, and Mumtaz Anwar Baji.
Before the start of formal talks between the two sides, Chaudhry Shujaat also had a talk with MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London. Later talking to the battery of members of print and electronic-media, Chaudhry Shujaat said Altaf Hussain conveyed his party’s full support to the PML and said the Muttahida had always been with the PML in the past and is still with it today and will remain so in future as well.He said he reminded Altaf Hussain of the days when they too used to come to MQM headquarter known as “nine zero” and remain there till late in the night and sleep in MQM hostel. Shujaat Hussain said they assured the Muttahida their unconditional support even if they join the PPP government in Sindh in the larger interest of the province and its people. Addressing to media persons, Mushahid Hussain said the PML will have full enjoyment in the opposition because of the spirit and vigour exhibited by Muttahida workers on their arrival at MQM headquarter.
He pointed out that out of 34 million votes cast, the PML coalition - NPP, MQM, PML (F) and PPP (S) bagged 11.5 million votes. He said PML topped the position with MQM and PPP on the trail. In Sindh also, he said, the coalition bagged highest number of votes while PPP remained at the second position. He said it is a big factor, which will play a role in the coming days. Mushahid said it has been decided that the PML will play its role in the opposition and whatever decision is taken by Muttahida, it will extend full support to them. He said in the meeting of the central executive of the party in Islamabad, the party made it clear to play a positive role on issues like health, education, social justice, provincial autonomy, independent foreign policy as well as in the fight against terrorism and extremism. He said the PML firmly believes that strong provinces guarantee a strong Pakistan. He referred to telephonic talk with Altaf Hussain who, he said, extended all out assurance of their support which they gave in the past and is available today and will continue so in future also.
Addressing the journalists, Engr. Amir Muqam said during the meeting they extended felicitations to Muttahida for its glorious win in Sindh and also thanked them on behalf of Pakhtoons for the grand welcome accorded to them by Muttahida workers.
He said the coalition works for the agenda set by President Pervez Musharraf which envisions a modern and progressive Pakistan and elimination of extremism and terrorism from the country. Amir Muqam said the PML will continue to work for carrying forward this agenda. He said the majority of people of Pakistan had supported the President in the past and will continue their support for him in future as well. On the occasion, Mushahid Hussain congratulated Muttahida chief Altaf Hussain and said he propagated positive traditions in Pakistan’s history and spoke loudly for the oppressed and suppressed classes of people instead of capitalists and feudals. Dr Farooq Sattar welcomed Chaudhry Shujaat and Mushahid Hussain and other PML leaders at MQM headquarter on behalf of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, the MQM Rabita Committee and the party workers.
He said during talks the PML leaders were clearly told that even if Muttahida makes new friends, it would not leave its coalition partners and old friends at any cost. “We will work together for greater national reconciliation”, Farooq Sattar said and added that establishment of a larger national government is inevitable for which they would have contacts with all the political parties. He said peace and stability and its continuity, promotion of democracy, establishment of a well set politically democratic system, elimination of extremism and terrorism and introduction of fast track social reforms are our priorities. He said Muttahida stands for basic social reforms, end to ad-hocism, complete autonomy to the provinces. Dr Farooq Sattar said the issue of feudalism will also have to be addressed and Muttahida talked about basic reforms, NFC, water reservoirs and greater say of provinces in the federal subjects and their association in decision-making and which is the true democracy. He said the Muttahida has vowed to work for a moderate and democratic Pakistan.
He said the Muttahida would play its role in taking country out of crisis and will work on taking it to an elevated position in the world. Dr Farooq Sattar said even if the Muttahida will be in the opposition, it would force the government in power to pursue this agenda.
He announced Muttahida’s unconditional support and co-operation to all those who would work for the stated priorities and agenda. Dr Farooq Sattar said even in the opposition, the Muttahida will play the role of a healthy opposition and would not waste time by just thumping the desks. “We will do constructive work and make the treasury benches to start work right from first day.”Addressing the press, Babar Khan Ghauri said the Muttahida does not look at the seats won by PML(Q) but their “first day love” with the party will continue in future. He said the Muttahida has won the mandate of the people and if anyone negates this mandate, then he only insults the people. On the occasion, Mushahid Hussain referred to his visit to MQM’s media centre and described it highly impressive with provision of state-of-the-art facilities. Earlier, on arrival at MQM headquarter the PML leaders were welcomed by Dr Farooq Sattar, Anwar Alam, Babar Khan Ghauri, Haider Abbas Rizvi and other members of MQM Rabita Committee. On the occasion a large number of men and women workers of MQM welcomed the visitors with rose petals amidst slogans of Jiay Altaf, Jiay Muttahida and Altaf Hamara Rahbar.
Before the start of formal talks, the visitors had a lunch with Muttahida leaders besides having a telephonic talk with MQM chief Altaf Hussain. After the talks, the MQM leaders left for Islamabad. Earlier before arriving at MQM headquarter, Chaudhry Shujaat along with Mushahid Hussain Sayed and other PML leaders held talks with NPP Chairman Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi at his residence. On the occasion Mustafa Jatoi assured of his full support to PML.