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Documentary- Historic consequences of Mohajirism Part 1
Documentary- Historic consequences of Mohajirism Part 2
By Ammad Hafeez
“Dual Nationality”, nowadays the topic is creating hype in the main stream media and politics. The question is being raised ‘should dual nationality holders have the right to contest elections , vote and be part of the Parliament or not’
Overseas Pakistanis, who raise the Pakistani flag abroad and support Pakistan in every event either it’s a formal cricket match or anything else. They celebrate the independence day of Pakistan abroad with the same enthusiasm and patriotism as a Pakistani celebrates the event in Pakistan. They proudly call themselves Pakistani while they live in other country but they represent themselves as Pakistanis. They miss the people, weather, and traditional cuisines of their motherland at each and every occasion. Ohh yes, how can they be a patriotic “Pakistani”? They have dual nationalities, right? Pakistan-based-Pakistanis, sorry to say you are ‘selfish’.
I’m not an overseas Pakistani but I have many overseas Pakistani friends who miss their country and its people. I’m not a selfish person, I know their feelings for Pakistan and I respect those who represent Pakistan in abroad. Why should we not give them equal rights as ordinary Pakistani? They should have right to cast their vote in the general election of Pakistan as ordinary Pakistani. They should have right to be elected as members of parliament as ordinary Pakistani.
Recently, the apex court took the decision under Article 63 (1c) of the constitution holders of dual nationalities disqualified from being elected as members of parliament and couldn’t be able to cast their votes in the general election. With utmost respect to the Supreme Court I think it is the rigid stance of Supreme Court of Pakistan against dual citizenship.
Some days ago, I was reading the statements of Mr. Altaf Hussain [chief of Muttahida Quami Movement] regarding the issue of dual nationality and I liked his stance on this. Mr. Altaf said dual nationality holders are patriotic Pakistanis and overseas Pakistanis should be allowed to vote and contest elections, decision whether to accept or reject them should be left to people through a public referendum, which is going to take place soon as per Mr.Hussain.
I agree with Mr. Altaf, people are the true judges and they have right to either accept or reject those with the dual nationalities. Further he clarified that he is not talking about himself, he is appealing in the larger interest of Pakistan. True, Altaf Hussain never contested any elections even when he was in Pakistan and has also announced that he will never contest for any public office in the future too.
In the end, I personally appeal to Chief Justice of Pakistan and all judges to review their decision regarding dual nationality holders. They are equal as we are; they love Pakistan as we love Pakistan.
By Ammad Hafeez
Since a long time Pakistan is facing the terrorism of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan [TTP]. On the other side some political forces have a soft corner for them, they are continuously supporting their terrorism and portraying their good image among the world. These extremist outfits are involved in the suicide attacks, kidnapping for ransom, torching government assets and targeting those who raises voice against them.
Last day the same scenario has been observed, TTP operatives attacked the 14-years-old peace icon who was awarded Pakistan’s first National Peace Prize “Malala Yousafzai” because she raised her voice against the terror of Taliban. She worked hard for the peace in Sawat and wrote anti Taliban articles. She was targeted because she was promoting the education in Sawat. TTP has taken responsibility of attack on her and mentioned that they will attack on every one who will raise the voice against them.
Interesting part is that every political party knows which elements attacked on Malala but most of political forces are avoiding naming the Taliban while condemning the barbarism of TTP and it is the sad moment for us that we have failed to condemn the wrong. Have we lost our conscience? Why are we supporting these butchers who attack on the innocents and torch the Masajid [religious place]? TTP activists call themselves ‘true Muslims’ and savior of the Islam. Islam is the peaceful religion and these ‘paid terrorists’ are tarnishing the image of Islam by their terrorism among the world. But they are angels for most of the politicians of Pakistan; I don’t want to mention their names. Still I just want to ask my people and nation to wake up against these so-called Islamic Jihadis, they are fake nothing else. Islam doesn’t teach us to attack on 14-years-old girl, this is not the braveness, and this is called the ‘height of cowardness’.
Politicians of Pakistan, please stop quoting that it’s not our war, it’s our war and we have to win this. Wake up Pakistanis, atleast Malala needs you and your support, stop following those politicians who have a soft corner for these butchers, attacking a teenager and defenseless Malala is not Islam.
Salute to the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani who went to Peshawar and visited to Malala with in 24 hours, it was the slap to pro-Taliban politicians. COAS declared that the war on terror is our war and we will fight till success but still he used the term of ‘terrorists’ instead of ‘Taliban’. While TTP does not bite any nails in naming or targeting the government and politicians or the law enforcement agencies directly by naming them.
The question is that who are responsible for this incident? Why proper security was not given to Malal? Why Khyber PakhtunKhwa government did not take the threats being given to Malala seriously? These are bitter questions and they show lack of seriousness and security plans. On the other hand, Malala has defeated to TTP, and now she is ‘out of danger’. Pakistan is the state which needs Malala and people like her to eliminate the forces like Taliban from Pakistan.
By Ammad Hafeez
The era of 90’s, before the creation of Muttahida [MQM], establishment decided to crush MQM. During the government of Pakistan People’s Party, Mohajir genocide started and tried to spoil the peace. In 1990, it was the second time that Mr. Altaf Hussain protested against the killing of Mohajir Nation and went to hunger strike against Mohajir’s genocide. He demanded to stop killings of Mohajir workers and nation. Along the mainstream leadership of MQM its party workers protested and started hunger strike. Days were passing and situation was going worst day by day, therefore Governor of Sindh Mr. Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim met Mr. Altaf Hussain on behalf of the President of Pakistan and assured him that the President would play his due role in getting Mr. Altaf Hussain’s demands accepted. Upon this assurance by the Governor Sindh, Mr. Altaf Hussain decided to end his hunger strike on April 14 and broke his fast with a glass of juice offered by the Governor. But it was the fake assurance, Mohajir people and workers of MQM were being killed by the brokers of establishment, feudal lords and elite class.
In 1991, Altaf Hussain returned to Pakistan after short visit to London. The armed assailants tried to attack his car with grenades near Ayesha Manzil but fortunately grenade exploded in the terrorist’s hand and Altaf Hussain survived the attempt of assassination. Underground operation had started against MQM in the dominant areas of MQM in Sindh. Party leaders and workers were pressurizing Altaf Hussain to leave the country; they wanted to save their key leaders from the deadly operation. At last, on 1st Jan 1992 Altaf Hussain left for Saudia Arabia (KSA), after that he went into self-exile in London. After the six months, In 1992 government of Pakistan launched ‘Operation cleanup’ against the Mohajir nation and MQM workers. Military forces were sent to Karachi to crackdown on MQM. Feudal and elite class tried hard to crush MQM and as result Altaf Hussain lost his 15,000 devoted workers along with them he lost his brother and nephew in the political struggle. On the fake statements of anti-MQM elements, false cases were filed against the Altaf Hussain and many leaders of MQM. MQM’s workers went underground for saving their lives most of them changed their appearance. It was the critical time for Altaf Hussain, he lost most of his ideological workers & colleagues. On the other side, anti MQM elements had failed to crush MQM and love of Altaf’s supporters from their hearts. Even in the days of operation, Altaf Hussain led his party from outside the country. The general election of 1993 proved that the love of common people towards Altaf Hussain, due to this trust MQM got success on 27 seats of provincial assembly while the operation was going on against voters/supporters and workers of MQM.
Altaf Hussain always mentioned that the struggle of MQM is not limited to any class, creed, race or specific people rather the struggle of MQM is for all. As I mentioned above, Altaf Hussain and his party had decided to transform Mohajir-QM into Muttahida-QM, therefore on 26 June 1997 on the directives of Mr. Altaf MQM’s Rabita Committee transformed Mohajir Qoumi Movement into Muttahida Qoumi Movement and MQM omitted the label of ‘ethnic-based’ political party.
The era of 2000’s Altaf Hussain is leading his party from outside of the country but the trust and love of his workers & supporters for him is increasing day by day. MQM got the remarkable success in the General Election of 2002 & Local Government Election of 2005. In 2005, Mr. Altaf Hussain appointed an energetic young man and a telephone operator at Nine Zero for city-mayor of Karachi. Yes, he was Syed Mustafa Kamal who followed the guiding principles of Mr. Altaf and served all citizen of Karachi irrespective of their colour, cast, creed and religion. In past anti MQM elements tried their best to eliminate MQM from the political stream but their conspiracies badly fired back & become ‘failure’ because with everyday passing common people are joining MQM and their showing trust on Mr. Altaf. In the General Election of 2008, once again supporters and lovers of Altaf Hussain proved their love and that’s why MQM secured 25 seats in National Assembly and 50 seats in Sindh Assembly. Now it is the 2012, MQM served the common people and tried its best to address all issues of the common people. On the directives of Mr. Altaf Hussain, MQM served the victims of Earthquake in the different areas of Pakistan, served the flood victims in Pakistan and served all irrespective of any discrimination.
Mr. Altaf Hussain is the only unique leader who did not contest even for councilor’s post and none of his family members grabbed key posts of MQM or government. This makes ‘Altaf’ a genuine leader who brings the new middle class faces and sends them to the assemblies from the platform of MQM. He does not choose the winning horse for his party while he chooses an ordinary person and makes him ‘the winner’. Muttahida of Altaf is unique just because of the guiding principle of Altaf Hussain. I wish Mr. Altaf Hussain a very happy birthday and pray for his long and healthy life and, hope he is reading my blog as it’s my gift on his birthday for his hard work for the nation.
Happy Birthday, Dear Altaf Hussain Bhai.
By Ammad Hafeez
It’s an old saying that when injustice and prejudice attitudes reach at high level then God sends someone to fight against the injustice, prejudice and hatred. Yes, the same has happened in Pakistan when the people of middle class particular “Mohajirs” were facing the discrimination. “Mohajirs” Those people who sacrificed their lives, families, children, luxury and properties worth billions just for the sake of Pakistan and migrated to Pakistan after 1947’s partition. According to the facts and figures, approximate figure of 8 million Muslims migrated to newly born Pakistan and during the migration millions of Muslim refugees were killed by Hindu.
Discrimination and prejudice attitude against Mohajir nation began after the assassination of first Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan, major incident took place during Ayub Khan’s regime, when son of Ayub Khan ‘Gohar Ayub’ ordered his militant wings for the genocide of Mohajirs in Karachi, Mohajirs were killed because they supported the sister of Quaid-e-Azam ‘Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah’ against Ayub Khan for the presidential election in 60’s. It was not enough; Ayub shifted the capital of Pakistan to Islamabad which was near his native town as Karachi was a dominant area of Mohajir’s population. After Ayub, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto showed his prejudice attitude against Mohajirs, introduced quota system in 70’s because of this discriminatory system Mohajirs lost their jobs and job opportunities. Admissions were not given to Mohajir students in the universities of Sindh. Mohajir nation was feeling massive discrimination against them.
Who knew that a child who was born on 17th September 1953 in a middle class family of Karachi will become a savior of all deprived people? Yes, I’m talking about Mr. Altaf Hussain the young man who himself faced & analyzed such discrimination and prejudice attitude closely. At last, he decided to form a student group “All Pakistan Mohajir Student Organization” on 11th June 1978, when Mohajir students were facing the massive resistance in their admissions at Karachi University. The aim of this group was to protect the rights of the Mohajir students at Karachi University.
The era of 70’s after creation of APMSO, Mr. Altaf Hussain challenged the biased system of education which did not give admissions to Mohajir students. Gradually, Mohajir students were joining their hands with Altaf and his APMSO. It was the beginning of the ‘real’ revolution in Pakistan, who knew that the group of middle class students under the leadership of charismatic leader Altaf Hussain would become a threat for feudal lords and elite class. He went for hunger-strike against the educational policy of Karachi University, the administration of KU refused to give admission in the B-Pharmacy to those students who passed BSc because of this successful and organized struggle against bias educational policy, Altaf and his companions got admission in B-Pharmacy. Mr Altaf Hussain with his colleagues formed the KKC (Khidmat-e-Khalq Committee) in 1978. (The KKC later transform into KKF, i.e.- Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation in January 1998) Mr. Altaf Hussain and his associates contributed all their pocket money and whatever remuneration they received by giving tuition, to the KKC fund. From this money and the donations received from students, other less fortunate students were helped. Course books and cash for admission and examination fees were distributed. In 1971 Pakistan lost the West Pakistan and Bangladesh emerged as the new state on the globe. The stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh supported the Pakistan Army in the war against the Bengali Freedom Fighters ‘Mukhti-Bahani’. They did the same what Indian Muslims did for the creation of Pakistan. They sacrificed thousands of lives and their properties just because of ‘West-Pakistan’, but Pakistan government didn’t take any action to bring back them in Pakistan. Constantly, they were being killed by Bengali Freedom Fighters ‘Mukhti-Bahani’. On 14th August 1979, Altaf Hussain staged a peaceful demonstration in the support of these Pakistanis and demanded government to bring them back in Pakistan. But the government of Pakistan ordered to arrest him and sent him to jail because he raised his voice for the deprived people who were being killed in Bangladesh. Powerful system was creating hurdle in the way of Altaf and his group, after feeling such resistance in achieving his goal he decided to enter in the politics of Pakistan. Altaf Hussain and his group [APMSO] was going to introduce themselves in the politics for which Altaf visited in different areas of Karachi and hold corner meetings, it was not a good sign for the establishment.
The era of 80’s, in 1984, A student-turned-politician Altaf founded a purely middle class political party, based on youngster politicians. The Mohajir Qoumi Movement (MQM) for protecting the rights of Mohajirs on national level. MQM organized its first ever convention on 8th August 1986, no one knew that this newly born political force was going to made a remarkable history. Mohajir youth, old men, children, girls and women attended MQM’s first convention in heavy rainfall, eyewitnesses said from Nishtar Park to Lalo-Khait there was a massive crowd, all were there to listen their new-born leader ‘Altaf Hussain’. This was the first example of well disciplined public meetings of MQM which continues to this day. According to the political analysts, it was a huge first ever convention of any political party. On 31st Oct 1986, Altaf Hussain was arrested when he was returning after his historical address at Pakka Qila, Hyderabad and high authorities charged many false cases against him. Conspiracy theories didn’t work which were planted against Altaf Hussain/MQM. In the local body election of 1987, Haq Parast councilors of MQM succeed in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sindh with heavy margins and Mayor/Deputy Mayor were appointed unopposed. It was the glorious victory for MQM and it was just because of the principles of Altaf Hussain. Establishment, feudal and elite class came into action and tried to crush Altaf’s MQM but due to immense love and trust on Altaf Hussain, common people of Sindh once again voted for MQM in the general election of 1988 and MQM got 27 seats in the provincial assembly and 17 seats in national assembly. MNA/MPA of MQM made record by getting highest votes in all over the country. Altaf Hussain became the ‘Messiah’ of deprived people and Altaf Hussain and his party’s massage was widely spreading in every corner of Sindh & Punjab, Altaf visited many areas and found that Mohajirs are not only the deprived class rather all communities are facing the same injustice; the poor and middle class people of any community were victims of the injustice of feudal lords and elite class. He was interested to spread his movement against injustice across the country and it was decided that MQM will stand by every deprived man and will safeguard middle & lower middle class rights. In late 80s Altaf and his party’s companions decided to transform Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM) into Muttahida Qaumi Movement to launch nationwide campaign for protecting common man’s right.
‘To be continued….’
APMSO FORWARD – for Youth Empowerment Part II
By Ammad Hafeez
After the constant struggle of APMSO (All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization) and MQM’s (Mohajir Qoumi Movement) Leaders and especially, Founder of the movement Mr. Altaf Hussain took an important decision. In 97, Mohajir Qoumi Movement (MQM) had transformed into Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and in 2006 All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization into All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organization and emerged as the national political power in Pakistan. Now, it was not restricted to Mohajirs rather than it was for all deprived people of Pakistan.
Mr. Altaf Hussain, the founder of APMSO & MQM, selected a telephone operator of ninezero (Altaf Hussain house & Party HQ) and gave him responsibility to serve Karachiiets. Yes, he is Syed Mustafa Kamal, MQM and Altaf Hussain gave him responsibility of Karachi and people of Karachi, and appointed him as Mayor of Karachi. It’s not hidden to any one, what he did for every class and standard of Karachiiets. Mustafa Kamal transformed Karachi city into Europe, Chief Justice gave remarks in honor of him. Even opponents of MQM applauded the hard work of him; it was the vision of charismatic leader Altaf Hussain, what Mustafa Kamal implemented. Thousands of projects were accomplished in his tenure and he changed city into signal free corridors and over-fly bridges.
MQM has strongly came up on political mainstream of Pakistan as a trend setter they introduce & empowered common middle class and lower class people of Pakistan and sent them to Assemblies of Pakistan, MQM has set another records, MQM organized the biggest political women’s convention in the history of Pakistan on Feb 19th, 2012 at Quid-e-Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi & broke its own record of women gathering previously held in 15th July 1988 at T-Ground Dastagir & June 2005 at Nishtar Park.
World has witnessed that MQM is the trend setter; it can make any un-believable record in the history of Pakistan. From historical ‘Muft Bazar’ (Free Market), to week-long cleanliness, either you talk about cyber revolution, computer literacy programs, English learning facilities for common soul & Now Nazeer Hussain University MQM has always came up with unique ideas.
Altaf Hussain has been the biggest proponent of equipping the younger generation with the latest scientific knowledge. In recent days MQM has carried out a series of programmes within the Pakistan & around the world on various sectors in order to inform the students and general public about the information technology and how it is changing the world. A large number of students, particularly those interested in pursuing their studies and careers in the field of information technology were attracted to attend the seminar.
Blogger is the student of Electronic Engineering, Karachi. He loves to analyse political issues. He can be reached at twitter & facebook.
APMSO FORWARD – for Youth Empowerment
Part I
By Ammad Hafeez
There is an important relation between politics and youth of any country. Youth is energetic, young blood and passionate and it’s the backbone of any nation, without struggle of youth none of any nation or movement cannot achieve their goals and aims. Role of youth in politics is essential for every nation, without entering in politics; youth cannot do anything for country.
In Pakistan, there are few political parties which give importance to youth and they made youth, a leader. There is no political party which is based on youth except MQM. Yes, MQM, the only party which is based on middle class Pakistani youth, in other way you can say it’s a youth’s organization.
It was 11th, June 1978; some middle class deprived students of Karachi University decided to form a student wing to fight & eliminate injustice and inequality from the educational system. It was APMSO, All Pakistan Mohajir Student’s Organization, under the supervision of the charismatic leader Mr. Altaf Hussain (Chairman) & his fellow Mr. Azeem Ahmed Tariq was the first secretary-general of APMSO.
Altaf Hussain took initiative and established a welfare charitable organization for humanitarian services, i.e Khidmat-e-Khalq committee in 1978 (The KKC was transformed into KKF, i.e.- Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation in January 1998). Social services of Mr. Altaf Hussain, the Founder and Leader of the MQM and his colleagues were started long before the MQM came into existence in 1984. The first ever generated fund Of KKC was consisted of the pocket-money and remuneration by the tuitions given by Mr Altaf Hussain and his companions. This fund which was received from students was used to help other less fortunate students to buy course books and for admission and examination fees.
Altaf Hussain launched a movement after launching APMSO with the motive to change the admission policy of Karachi University for the residents of urban Sindh and he was succeeded. The officials changed the policy and that was his first victory against the ill system. According to the APMSO’s official website, at that time, APMSO got 900 votes from all over the university in the general elections of 80’s. Rise in popularity of APMSO badly hit Jamiat (Student wing of Jamaat-I-Islami) & the following year during the admission campaign bloody attacked were made by cunning Jamiat on APMSO Camps, later on Jamiat forcefully banned APMSO & its leadership from entering in the University and was asked to leave the institution. This was the turning point when APMSO start its working in the different localities of Karachi and APMSO’s units were formed in different areas. APMSO’s message was widely spread along each nook and corner of province of Sindh. Several hundred units have been formed. Suddenly in 1984 Zia-ul-Haq banned student organizations in Pakistan, hence a formation of its public wing was demanded by general Mohajir population. Due to this need Mr. Altaf Hussain formed a country-wide movement for rights of deprived Mohajirs, Thus a student political group APMSO gave birth to “Mohajir Quami Movement” (MQM) on March 18, 1984.
The genuine reason of formation of MQM was to protect the rights of deprived people of Pakistan. Youth formed political party; MQM which gave a challenge to elite class in its first ever public gathering on August 8th, 1986 at Nishtar Park. It was the historical gathering with the charm of thousands of attendees; all were there to hear Mr. Altaf Hussain, the founder of APMSO & MQM. It was the serious threat to feudal lords and elite tycoons of Pakistan. After the constant struggle of Altaf Hussain and his companions, MQM won the local body elections of 87 in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities.
MQM youth based political power raised as a biggest political power in urban Sindh. Constant achievements of MQM were making hurdle to feudal lords and establishment. APMSO had transformed into public supported political movement, it was no more just a student movement. In the general election of 90’s, MQM got massive mandate from the middle class & lower class people of Pakistan and emerged as the third biggest political party in Pakistan.
Now tough time was coming for the APMSO, MQM, its leadership, workers and supporters. Establishment, feudal lords and elite class had decided to crush this public political power, it was the government of Nawaz Sharif in 1992, and government started an operation against MQM leadership, workers and supporters. “Operation clean-up” title was given to this operation; thousands of MQM’s supporters were killed in this operation. Establishment tried hard and harder to eliminate each and every supporters, voters, workers and leaders of MQM. Fake cases were made to malign MQM and its leadership and labeled MQM as terrorist organization.
Arrest warrants were issued against MQM’s leadership, establishment’s puppet killed MQM’s master mind and Chairman Mr. Azeem Ahmed Tariq, it was the massive disastrous time for MQM, and MQM had lost its mastermind and one of the closest companions of Altaf Hussain. It was not enough to agency, establishment, feudal lords and anti MQM forces, they put blame on MQM for the execution of Azeem Ahmed Tariq and maligned MQM on it. In this operation, MQM and Altaf Hussain lost their ‘fifteen thousands’ workers and supporters including Altaf Hussain’s brother and nephew. After all those injustice and brutality by feudocrates MQM’s & Altaf Hussain appealed to his people to bear with patience and fortitude and hold back their emotions. (To be continued, Part II is coming shortly…)
Blogger is the student of Electronic Engineering, Karachi. He loves to analyse political issues. He can be reached at twitter & facebook.
