Hate among Shia-Sunni was a plot of enemy, says influential Pakistani politician

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain who is in self-exile in London, addressed via video link a rally in Karachi held in solidarity with the army.

The rally, which saw thousands of people gather, was organised by the MQM yesterday’s evening in the port city of Pakistan in favour of anti-terrorist military operation in North Waziristan.

Representatives of other political parties also attended the meeting.

Altaf Hussain urged all participants to give help and assist one another in order to promote inter-faith tolerance and collaboration and thus defeat sectarian-based hatred.

At the time of the meeting, Islamabad has ordered troops based in North Waziristan to pursue their anti-terror campaign in a desperate bid to crush terror dissidents in the region and restore state control throughout all territories. An estimated 400 terror militants have been killed thus far.

The MQM chief stressed that the entire nation is standing behind the army as troops deploy in the Zarb-i-Azb area of North Waziristan. "Terrorists want to enforce their version of the so-called Sharia using Kalashnikov and swords … their weapons are hate and intolerance, they seek to destroy the country,” he warned.

During his speech, Altaf noted that the people of Pakistan must show unity. He further lauded the sacrifices of soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation.

The MQM chief said that his party wants to establish a society where everyone has equal rights and religious freedom regardless of the faith they follow.

“All help should be provided to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have had to flee North Waziristan in the aftermath of the operation,” he stressed.