President Asif Zardari was assisted by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, former federal minister Dr Asim, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani and his wife MNA Farah Naz Ispahani, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Wajid Shamsul Hasan while Altaf Hussain was aided by Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri, central coordination committee members Saleem Shahzad, Mustafa Azizabadi, Muhammad Anwar and Advocate Muhammad Anis. Asifa Bhutto Zardari was also present by her father’s side.
Addressing a press conference at the central London’s Churchill hotel, where the President was staying with his entourage. Later, Altaf Hussain and Rehman Malik said both the coalition partners were united on the understanding that Pakistan needs stability and its strength lies in the continuation of the ongoing democratic process.
The issue of Balochistan topped the agenda of the meeting and it was agreed that an all-party style conference on Balochistan will be called in which the participation of Baloch representatives will be ensured.
Altaf thanked Zardari for intently listening to the issues he raised, including the issue of Balochistan, local government, price hike, and the war against terrorism inside Pakistan and assured that all issues will be resolved.
“The issue of Balochistan is the most important issue challenging Pakistan’s stability right now and it must be resolved on war footing. Pakistan’s stability is linked with Balochistan and now is the time that the genuine grievances of Baloch people must be addressed without delay,” Altaf Hussain said in his address to the media soon after the meeting.
The meeting also discussed the thorny issue of local government/bodies system and the MQM appealed to the president to not abolish the system as it had benefited a lot of people and in the interest of the common people it must be continued. The MQM delegation recommended that if there are any deficiencies in the system then it must be amended or updated but scraping it altogether will not be a good thing to do and will be a step backward.
Altaf told the press conference that some elements on the basis of personal animosity were indulging in conspiring against the PPP-MQM coalition to destabilise the government and their target was the frail democratic system. He said these elements were trying to create gulf between the two coalition partners and resolved that together both parties will not allow it.
“We pledged during the meeting that our coalition must continue for the strength and unity of Pakistan.” Both Rehman Malik and Altaf Hussain offered fulsome salute to the armed forces for waging a resolute war against terrorists. The armed forces and the civilian leadership of Pakistan deserve the full appreciation and support of the nation for realising the true nature of threat from terrorism and for being brave to launch the operation amidst initial internal hostility against such an operation.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the law and order situation in Pakistan had increased considerably and militants playing in the hands of the enemies of Pakistan were on the run. “Only one-and-a-half-year ago, people were scared of sending their children to school but today the tide has been turned against the militants and their paymasters.”
Rehman Malik said the resolve of Pakistan to root out militancy has won it and its ideas of development at important forums like the Friends of Democratic Pakistan. He said it was due to the wisdom of the current leadership of Pakistan that it was overcoming all kinds of problems, mainly the economic and energy crises.
“We took over at a time when our image was battered badly in the eyes of the world and were like a duck but we are absolutely clear in our resolve that we will go after anyone, irrespective of one’s ethnicity and belonging, who challenges the writ of the state. There will be no leniency on that,” assured Rehman during his address.
Rehman Malik said it was great that the people of North and South Waziristan were cooperating with the security forces against terrorists and that was the reason why the armed forces were making gains against insurgents. He once again appealed to those Pakistanis who were misguided and had chosen the path of terrorism to put down their weapons and return to the mainstream fold.
Answering a question on Hafiz Saeed and the Interpol warrants against him, Malik said the government of Pakistan had taken a strict action against Hafiz Saeed and his militant network and had fully cooperated with the Indian government on the basis of information provided to the Pakistani government. He said Hafiz Saeed was being dealt with according to the laws of Pakistan and it was the policy of the Pakistani government to not let anyone use its soil for terrorist purposes.
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said President Zardari met British Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier in the day and insisted that Britain should use its influence with the European countries to help Pakistan gain greater market access in the European Union. He said Pakistan needs trade more than aid and Britain can play a pivotal role in convincing these countries to promote trade with Pakistan and let Pakistani exports in their countries to help it improve economy.
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