Deputy Convenor of Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Co-ordination Committee, Dr Farooq Sattar, has said that majority of the people living in Karachi are peace-loving, adding that only peace can guarantee advancement, and advancement would in turn bring prosperity. He was addressing the participants of a 'Peace Walk' on Sunday that started from Bagh-i-Iban-i-Qasim and terminated at the Teen Talwar.
Dr Sattar said that the peace of Karachi had given a very clear message to the criminal mafia and terrorists. They have rejected the extortion mafia and exposed the elements behind the incidents of kidnappings for ransom.
"It is a historic day. The people of Karachi have given a clear message to the government and the law-enforcing agencies as well that they would have to be taken on board in the process of establishing a durable peace in Karachi. They would have to be involved in the efforts for bringing peace in Karachi," he underlined. He said that there were only a handful of criminal elements, religious extremists and terrorists practising violence in order to achieve their vile objectives. The overwhelming majority of Karachiites want peace and stability in the city because they want to see peace and stability in Pakistan.
He said that Karachi was the economic hub of Pakistan and engine of progress. "If there is economic activity in Karachi, it would give stimulus to the economic development of Pakistan. "It would create employment opportunities and bring economic independence," he opined.
He termed the peace walk as a referendum against every form of terrorism, religious extremism and sectarianism. The participants of the walk have spoken in favour of transforming Pakistan into a civilised, welfare and democratic polity, he added. Senator Mustafa Kamal and MNA Khushbakht Shujaat also spoke on the occasion.