The deprived rights of Gilgit-Baltistan must be restored - Quaid e Tehreek

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Quaid e Tehreek Altaf Hussain Bhai demanded Gilgit-Baltistan to be awarded representation in the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan and the rights that the people of this region have been deprived of must be restored. He said this during a press conference while addressing the 'meet the press' at the Gilgit-Baltistan Press Club over the telephone from London where various representatives of television channels, newspapers, Gilgit-Baltistan Union of Journalists, columnists, writers and journalists were present in large numbers.

He said that the feudal system in the country only allowed the rich and powerful class belonging to the feudal lords, jagirdars, waderas and industrialists to get elected in the National Assembly, the Senate and the Provincial Assemblies of the country, whereas, the common persons belonging to the poor and middle class irrespective of how educated or competent he or she maybe has always been prevented from reaching even the corridors of the Parliament. He said that MQM has the honours of being 'the first' in the political history of Pakistan that has nomited educated and competent youth to represent MQM in various Governments.

Altaf bhai said that the journey of MQM's achievements has not been easy and MQM has continuously struggled a lot which has resulted in the extra-judicial murder of thousands of its workers that were illegally detained, tortured and displaced, however, with the blessings of Almighty Allah(S.W.T), MQM is finally achieving success through the tireless struggle and hardships that were faced by the party's office bearers and workers in order to abolish and eliminate the corrupt political culture of the country and it is due to those sacrifices that were given by MQM that now its message is spreading through out the country all the way to the havenly mountains and valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. He commended and praised the efforts by his workers of Gilgit-Baltistan who, despite unfavourable conditions in the area are busy day and night spreading the party's message and paid rich tributes to them.

He informed the people in his address that MQM is a liberal and a progressive party and the only party in Pakistan that is truly representative of all Pakistanis regardless of their sect, race or religion and that MQM wants religious and secretarian harmony in the country. Altaf bhai asked the people to remain committed to their religious school of thought and one should not confront or critisize other faiths,sects or religions because people of all sects including shia's and sunnis equally participated in the Pakistan Movement and he also referred to the Memon and Ismaili communities that played a big role in financially assisting Pakistan. He appealed to the Ismaili community settled in Gilgit and Baltistan to come foward and join MQM as it is for everyone.

Quaid e Tehreek demanded of the Federal Government to resolve the issues faced by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and requested more police for the region and an increase in salaries to bring it at par with other provinces. He also demanded a to establish a special quota for the students of Gilgit-Baltistan in all the educational institutes and student hostels of the country. Increase tourism so it could become a source of employment for the people of this region, establish engineering and medical univertisies and television channels to highlight the issues of this region, establish an effecient communication system, build roads, bridges and infrastructure. He said that the area abundant in Natural resources and steps should be taken to
exploit them in order to bring prosperity in the lives of the people of this region. He requested an increase in special grant for establishing press clubs in all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan; and demanded that the airport at Skardu should be upgraded as an international airport and to establish a trust for the welfare of local artists. Apart from that industrial zones should be established to generate employment in the region so unemployment could be reduced. Hospitals and dispensaries should be built in order to provide basic health facilities, sports and culture needs to be promoted and polo in particular where special grounds of high standards should be built aswell as establish a sports institution in the region. An old age benefits and labour department should be establish as well as effective measures should be taken to improve livestock, forests and wildlife.

He said now that MQM is working in Gilgit-Baltistan and God willing, the day is not far when the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will have their representatives in the Senate, National and Provicial Assemblies and when MQM will form Government in this region we will attain the rights for the people aswell as resolve all issues that are faced by the people of this whole region.