Either Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan or Taliban: MQM postpones referendum until November 14

Owing to international defence exhibition, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has postponed its referendum on what kind of Pakistan its citizens wanted to live in to November 14.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain had called on Pakistanis in his speech on October 14 to declare whether they wanted to live in a Pakistan run by the Taliban or the one that the Quaid-e-Azam had envisioned.

According to the party, the people would be asked in the referendum whether they wanted a Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah or of Taliban.

The decision of postponement was taken during an emergency meeting of the party called in London and Karachi simultaneously.

It is vital to mention here that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had earlier threatened the MQM after it announced that it will hold the referendum.

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar while speaking to a press conference said it was now or never situation and they would have to take final decision.

He said that religious extremists are targeting mosques, shrines and schools, adding that they were attacking defence installations and are killing personnel of police, Rangers, FC and armed forces in a horrific manner.

“It was the MQM chief Altaf Hussain who had first warned the country about the growing religious extremism and Talibanisation of Pakistan many years ago. It is unfortunate that the leaders of political and religious parties, certain intellectuals, anchor persons and journalists ridiculed him instead of taking his apprehensions seriously.”

The MQM leader further stated that the founder of this country didn’t want Pakistan to become a theocratic state. He rather wanted Pakistan to be a liberal, secular and progressive state where the followers of every religion, sect and school of thought would be free to go to their places of worship.

In his view, Jinnah wanted the country to become a state where everyone had equal rights and the freedom to fashion their lives according to their religious beliefs.

He opined that the Taliban, on the other hand, are trying to mutilate the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam by forcing their particular beliefs on others.

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Posted by Web Desk on Nov 6 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.