The Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has appealed to Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to withdraw their ultimatums and remain limited to putting forward demands. He said that they had exhibited patience and restraint so far and they must keep their protest peaceful for the sake of the country.
Mr Hussain paid tributes to the PAT and PTI leaders, office-bearers, workers and supporters for continuing their protest peacefully in bad weather and heavy rains. He also thanked the Federal Government and the Provincial Government of the Punjab for showing restraint and not taking any kind of force against the participants of the march.
Mr Hussain said that there were reports that the Police and administration had arrested workers of the protesting political parties and demanded that those workers should be released immediately.
Mr Hussain asked the political parties carrying out the protest marches to desist from entering the Red Zone and attacking government installations at all cost. Violence should not be resorted to under any condition.
Mr Hussain urged the government to show large-heartedness and start dialogues with the political parties that were carrying out the march. He said that the legitimate demands should be accepted immediately and assurance should be given to implement them. He said it was necessary to make every effort to resolve all issues by holding dialogues.
Mr Hussain appealed to the protesting parties as well to let go their rigidity in view of the critical situation of the country and refrain from anything that could lead to confrontation. He asked them to show flexibility.
Mr Hussain said that the armed forces were engaged in the most difficult war against terrorists in North Waziristan. Officers and men were sacrificing their lives but their determination for protecting their country remained undaunted. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and hearths and living a miserable life in camps.
Mr Hussain said that the government and protesting political parties must consider this situation before embarking on a line of action. He warned that confrontation would not be in the interest of the country.