Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain on Saturday said that negotiations with Baloch leaders are the need of the hour, adding that the people of Punjab can save Pakistan by supporting the truth. In his telephonic address from London at an Iftar dinner arranged by MQM for journalists in Islamabad, Altaf said some militants and extremists were bringing bad name to the country and people of Pakistan should resist their 'brand' of Islam.
He stressed the need for initiating dialogue with Baloch leaders and declared that giving proper attention to the problems of Balochistan was need of the hour. He also urged the federal government that if it was carrying out any operation in any part of Balochistan, it should halt it as military operation against our own people never proved helpful for the integrity of Pakistan.
While lauding the military operation in Swat against militants, Altaf said Pakistan army has cleared the Swat Valley of militants and now the local people have restarted normal life there. He added that in Swat peace has been achieved with the efforts of the military and other law enforcement agencies and a large number of displaced persons have now returned to their homes.
Discussing the situation in Fata and Balochistan, the MQM Quaid said: "We have not yet learnt the lesson from our past mistakes," he remarked and added that the problem of Balochistan needs immediate solution and it should be resolved forthwith.
He said the government should utilise all its energies in eliminating corruption from Pakistan as it was largely disappointing the youths of the country. He said that for resolving the longstanding issues of Pakistan he had talked to President Zardari and assured him of MQM's co-operation. He expressed grave concern over the persisting crises of sugar, wheat floor, energy and unemployment and urged the government and members of MQM to put all their energies together in resolving these issues.