Islamabad: Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Husain on Sunday renewed his controversial call for revolution to rescue Pakistan and its people from the clutches of feudal lords, corrupt politicians and plunderers of national wealth.
He was addressing a large gathering in Karachi over phone from London in connection with the campaign of MQM's social welfare Khidmat-e-Khalq organisation to provide succour to the flood-hit people in the country.
Hussain said feudal lords and corrupt politicians had enriched themselves through various means including waiver of hefty bank loans over the last six decades after independence, built factories and mills and also acquired assets outside the country.
He said his critics could not block the looming change. "A revolution is coming and it will be unstoppable," the MQM chief said, urging citizens including people in the armed forces to support such a movement.
Hussain said when people of all provinces were ready for bringing about a revolution, he would ask the MQM Rabita (coordination) Committee to remove existing restrictions to allow him to return to the country to join the mass struggle.
His statement was likely to draw strong reactions from rivals, particularly the main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as was the case when Hussain first made a call last month for martial law-like steps against feudalism and corruption.
A war of words has been underway between the MQM, a partner in the Pakistan People's Party-led ruling coalition in Islamabad and in the southern Sindh province, where MQM has wide electoral support in Karachi and other urban centres. PML-N leaders accuse the MQM of seeking military intervention, which the latter denies.
In his usual fiery style, Hussain refuted allegations against him and said the expenses for his stay in London were being borne by the party. "I have not accumulated any wealth and I do not own any properties or palaces like others," he said.
