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“For me a democratic system without local government is worse than a dictatorship,” said MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said on Wednesday that the judges who have decided to try former President General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf under Article 6 for treason should either release the former dictator or take suo moto action against all those involved in the 1999 coup.
Addressing his supporters via video link on Wednesday evening, Altaf asked why all those lawyers, who had participated in the movement to restore judiciary, do not protest that all those involved in 1999 coup were not being tried along with Musharraf.
Democracy without local government is worse than dictatorship
Talking about local government and democracy, the MQM chief said, “For me a democratic system without local government is worse than a dictatorship.”
The MQM chief said whenever a civil government comes in to power in Pakistan, it never holds local bodies elections, which is the basic element of any democratic society. He added that army dictatorships should be given the credit for holding local government elections.
“I would like to ask all the so called democrats and intellectuals, what is democracy?” MQM chief asked. Democracy is a system of government, by the people, off the people and for the people, it is not the rule of a family or feudals, he added.
Talking about delayed justice and imprisonment of people for longer than their stipulated sentences, Altaf urged the judiciary to start accountability of lower judiciary.
The MQM chief further suggested that courts should be set up in jails and inmates should be asked for how long they have been imprisoned. If prisoners have completed their term then they should be released.
Responding to criticism for calling for more administrative units, Altaf said that PPP’s government had presented the resolution in the assembly for the creation of South Punjab, and now PPP’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is talking against the creation of new administrative units in Sindh. Addressing Bilawal, he said, “You have studied abroad, are you not aware that new administrative units are created with increase in population.”
He alleged that PPP co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari has found a new way of criticising people, “Where he [Zardari] does not want to say something directly, he directs Bilawal to say it.”
Commenting on current political impasse, the MQM chief said, “I urge the incumbent government to accept the demands of PAT and PTI, as most of their demands are just and let the machinery of state work.”
MQM government
Talking about an MQM government and what they would do if they came into power, Altaf claimed that MQM’s government can come into power if the establishment helps them. “But I do not know why establishment is against us.”
“If our party comes in power, in one year, we will evict the loan takers from their palaces and build schools and welfare organisations there,” said MQM chief.
Referring to the prevailing energy crisis in the country, MQM chief said, “Government says they would buy electricity from China, India, I ask then why don’t they generate electricity at home?” If people of Sindh have reservations over the construction of Kalabagh Dam, then construct a network of small dams all over the country, he advised.
Either set Musharraf free or try him along with accomplices: MQM chief – The Express Tribune
