A hospitalized Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, Altaf Hussain, who remains in police custody, appealed to party workers not to let go of ‘self-restraint’ during this ordeal. It was his first public message since his arrest.
MQM’s self-exiled chief, Altaf Hussain, was arrested in London day before yesterday on suspicion of money-laundering as thousands of his supporters in his home city of Karachi staged a rally calling for his release.
According to sources, Hussain called the party leaders at the International Secretariat after British authorities allowed him to use the phone Wednesday night.
Hussain’s phone call lasted for 12 minutes during which he told his followers that he was doing alright, the sources added.
“I am fine. I want to tell you that this is a testing time for all of us. I am not afraid of it as I have seen worse in the past. So it’s not something that can intimidate me. All those who struggle for truth, face these trials and tribulations now and then”, said he speaking from his hospital bed via telephone.
He urged his party workers to, “remain patient, show restraint, and keep calm at all costs.”
“I cannot warn you strongly enough against any violation of law. You need to show restraint and pray for your leader. I will not let you down. By the grace of Allah Almighty, I will walk out of this crisis victorious as always”, said he.
“We are so relieved that Hussain is in good health. His voice soothed our suffering souls as he spoke to us. This is the first good news we have received in two days, but it doesn’t mean we will go home. We are staying put”, said MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi, while addressing the demonstrators.
Chanting the slogan “Jeena Hoga Marna Hoga Dharna Hoga Dharna Hoga” (Whether we live or die, the sit-in will continue), Rizvi said the test of their patience was not over yet.
“We are Altaf Hussain’s die-hard loyalists and will always be. There will never be two ways about it”, he insisted.
