Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain, has said that in a rapidly changing world scenario, Talibanisation and religious extremism in Pakistan pose a serious challenge to the viability of the country.Responding to questions by Norwegian newspaper, ‘The Asians’ the leader-in-exile said this should be a real cause of concern for moderate and progressive Pakistanis living in Pakistan and abroad.
Hussain said the fate of the country lies in the hands of the people of Pakistan. “If the people rise to bring about middle class rule by changing the primitive feudal-military political system and seriously confront Talibanisation and religious extremism, they can make the nation viable.”
Referring to future political plans of his party, Hussain said, “We are expanding across Pakistan and are being warmly received. We may surprise our opposition in the Punjab and rural Sindh in the forthcoming general elections as we did in Azad Kashmir.” He said the MQM had significant representation in federal and Sindh parliaments and had also achieved two seats in the Pakistan Administered Kashmir’s legislative assembly.
Hussain said he would return to Pakistan when he felt safe again because he had been the victim of several assassination attempts while living there. “However, I am ready to return if the Rabita Committee, workers and supporters of the party advise me to do so. Life in exile is very difficult for leaders belonging to middle and downtrodden classes,” he added.