By Fakir Hassen, IANS
Johannesburg : Describing the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto as a “a very painful incident”, Anis Hassan, leader of South Africa branch of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), said it was symptomatic of political corruption in the country which makes it unsafe for anyone who believes in democracy.
The MQM, one of the largest political parties in Pakistan, is believed to have up to 1,000 members in exile in South Africa.
“Our sympathies go out to the families of the bereaved in this tragic situation caused by extremists who deny the right of those who believe in democracy to engage in politics to bring about such democracy in Pakistan,” Hassan said Thursday night.
“This type of aggressive action by those opposed to democracy is very bad. MQM worldwide supports anyone and any party that believes in restoring democracy to our country and that is why we also supported Bhutto. She was a believer of the things MQM also wants for Pakistan, such as basic human rights for all and rights for women,” he added.
When Bhutto and another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, announced that they would return to Pakistan from exile a few months ago, the South Africa branch of MQM caused a stir in the suburb of Fordsburg where several hundred Pakistani immigrants and exiles live, running mainly Indian music and movie shops and eateries.
Locals were amazed to wake up one morning to an unprecedented situation where an MQM flag flew from almost every pole in the area. The incident was a stroke of genius for an organisation, which until then was little known among the local community. Since then there have been many queries about the MQM.
“Yes, it was a big celebration for us as leaders who believe in democracy and human rights were returning to Pakistan,” Hassan said.