‘Pragmatic’ Altaf wants LoC as border

As the story goes that thousands gather around a loudspeaker even now to hear a long-distance speech by Altaf Hussain, the Mohajir leader of...

As the story goes that thousands gather around a loudspeaker even now to hear a long-distance speech by Altaf Hussain, the Mohajir leader of Pakistan did not disappoint his audience at the Hindustani Times Leadership Initiative today.

The conference gave him the opportunity he always craved for, a visit to ‘‘the land of his forefathers’’. Not one to hide his sentiments, Hussain spoke of the rush of emotions he had undergone since the time he landed at New Delhi — he is in South Asia after a gap of 12 years since he left Pakistan for London. It was an elaborate description which ended with an outburst that Partition was the ‘‘biggest blunder in the history of mankind’’.

Now that it is done, he said, India and Pakistan are now a reality and both sides should strive to resolve their differences. Hussain, who cannot enter Pakistan, said he believed in being pragmatic. That was reflected in the fact that while he admired the success of democracy in India, the Muttahida Quami Movement, the party he founded, supports President Musharraf and voted in favour of him continuing as Army chief.

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‘‘On the one hand, we have Musharraf and, on the other, we have several religious, fanatic forces who are capable of turning Pakistan into yet another Tora Bora. The US has already said that either you are with us or with them…sometimes you have no other option,’’ defended Hussain.

He was caustic in his criticism of Pakistan, particularly for labeling Mohajirs pro-Indian. ‘‘Just because our fathers and forefathers were born in India, they call us agents of India. Sometimes I feel that if so is the case, then while all this exchange is happening under SAARC, you people (Indians) just allow us to return and give us asylum.’’ Hussain was quick to add that this may not be possible and said: ‘‘At least, you can open the Khokrapar Munabao link so that my people can come across and meet their close ones. Please open the Khokrapar border, please.’’

The MQM founder also hoped that South Asia would learn from the way Europe have sunk its differences to make EU a success. He went on to suggest that a solution to Kashmir would only be possible if both countries treat LoC as a border. ‘‘I am not saying this is a solution but it is a good starting point for talks…Other demands like that of an independent Kashmir can be considered later.’’