MQM always supported oppressed people: Altaf

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has said that MQM has always espoused the cause of truth and supported the oppressed people in the country including Fata.

He said this while talking to MNA from Fata Hamidullah Jan Afridi on phone here on Thursday.

Afridi informed Hussain about the situation in Fata. He said that the people of Fata were already facing many injustices and hardships, and now efforts were being made to merge the tribal areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. He said that the tribal areas had always remained autonomous and hence the people of Fata did not want to become part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that they wanted a separate province in order to pursue their aspirations.

Afridi said that the people of Fata were looking towards MQM and Altaf Hussain with expectations. They were hopeful that the MQM would raise its voice for their rights.

Hussain said, "We are grieved at the injustices done to the people of the tribal areas. We share their grief and sorrows and have full sympathy with them. We have opposed the drone strikes and got a resolution against the drone attacks passed from the National Assembly. We also raised our voice at every other forum on the issue of drone attacks."

Hussain said that he would ask MQM Co-ordination Committee to deliberate on making Fata a new province. If the people of Fata would unanimously demand a separate province, the MQM would endorse their demand.