Altaf urges Kashmiris to unite

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) alone can pull the country out of the present morass, MQM founder leader Altaf Hussain said while addressing a workers meeting in Muzaffarabad on Sunday.
He simultaneously dwelt on President Bush's South Asian visit and the Kashmir situation making it clear that America's tilt was more toward India than Pakistan, and urged Kashmiris to unite under one banner for the solution of their problems.
Pakistan, Altaf Hussain said, was beset with a situation, which needed effective handling. The Muttahida, having the confidence of masses and committed to serve them, was the only political party to take the country out of the crisis.
But he was happy to note that selfless services rendered by the party in earthquake-affected areas by the grace of God Almighty made the people realise, especially in Azad Kashmir and NWFP that the state propaganda against it was a loaded exercise.
The Muttahida was dubbed as anti-Pakistan and as terrorists, but the impression was automatically washed away, for which he was grateful to Allah.
Altaf Hussain told Kashmiris that MQM's sins were far too many, principal accusations being it the party of the poor and the middle classes, to whom it gave voice and strength to ask and struggle for the attainment of their rights.
He lamented that army generals had backed a feudal lord like Z.A. Bhutto against a middle class and poor men's party of Awami League. Feudal ganged up under him. Despite their machinations, Awami League won hands down in 1970 elections but generals denied it power and preferred to lose half of the country. He said that issues he had been highlighting since long, was now being backed now by the intelligentsia also.
Referring to the recently concluded South Asian visit of President George Bush, he said American tilt was more toward India than Pakistan because of the faulty policies pursued by previous governments.
He asked Kashmiris to unite under one umbrella rather than working in splinter groups because then alone would they be able to win their battle. The Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the wishes of Kashmiris, he added.