Jinnahpur conspiracy

Jinnahpur conspiracy: Altaf asks CJ to form truth and reconciliation commission

Army men's revelations vindicate MQM

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain has demanded formation of a national truth and reconciliatory commission to put facts before the nation after astonishing revelations that the Jinnahpur map and the plan never existed and it was only an excuse to start the June 19, 1992 military operation against the MQM.

Two former military men have disclosed that the alleged map of Jinnahpur was a 'drama' and its publication was meant to malign a democratic party.

Former Intelligence Bureau director-general Brig (retd) Imtiaz, who was a major player in the 1992 operation against the MQM and its cadres, confessed that the Jinnahpur map "was a drama that was aimed at creating a rift amongst various sections of the nation".

Known as one of the most influential spy officers, who played a key role in shaping political events in Pakistan, Brigadier Imtiaz Ahmed further confessed that he carried out research into the allegations and found that no such thing as Jinnahpur existed and no such map was found from any office of the MQM.

The retired Army officer further said the operation, which was started during the reign of the then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was launched after full consultation and with the full knowledge of the proper chain-of-command, which included the then-Army chief Asif Nawaz, president Ghulam Ishaq Khan and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Gen (retd) Nasir Akhtar, who was the corps commander Karachi at the time of the operation, also confessed he had no knowledge of the Jinnahpur map and that was the reason why the ISPR withdrew it two days after its publication.

Addressing a press conference at the MQM international secretariat here on Sunday night, Altaf said his party's stance stood vindicated and termed the confessional statements by two pivotal charters of the operation as the victory of truth and justice, and proof that the establishment was scared of the party's pro-middle class and anti-corruption and feudalism message.

Congratulating the whole nation, the party chief said his thoughts were filled with the memories of those 15,000 who had been killed cold-bloodedly.

Altaf said since then his party had been maligned and portrayed as a 'traitor' at every opportunity but the truth has prevailed and it has been proven that his party believed in a strong, united and prosperous Pakistan and the operation against it was absolutely wrong.

"Allegations are always hurtful whether they be about personal corruption or character assassination but the allegation of being a traitor and on the pay of an enemy is the worst of all accusations.

"We were put on the front pages of newspapers for being behind the Jinnahpur 'conspiracy' and the whole of Punjab was turned against us as we were considered the enemy within.

"Now the two main characters of the 1992 operation have spoken the truth, may I question what about the doubts that have been seeded baselessly in the minds of Pakistani people that the MQM is a traitor?"

Altaf said he and those who lost loved ones during the operation will always be bereaved but they would forgive the blood of their loved ones, including Altaf Hussain's brother Nasir Hussain and a nephew who were killed during the same operation.

He said after being vindicated by the two men, he could ratchet up the pressure and complicate things but added the country was passing through a critical phase and any kind of instability and heated situation would not be in the best interest of the country.

"I extend the hand of friendship and unity towards all for the solidarity of Pakistan." He appealed to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to form a truth and reconciliation commission to find facts behind the anti-MQM operation and also call the two former Army officials and know from the horse's mouth as to what lay behind the operation and why 15,000 Pakistanis were killed, hundreds forced to flee the country and dozens still missing.

He asked Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif to state before the nation why he allowed the Army operation, whether he was consulted, knew full facts behind it and why he didn't intervene to stop it.

Addressing the current military leadership, Altaf said he didn't believe the present command had anything to do with the injustice done 18 years ago in its name but appealed to the Army and intelligence agencies not to be part of any conspiracy against the MQM and "welcome the MQM with open arms as a truly patriotic party which loves Pakistan as much as any other Pakistani does".

Altaf said the 1992 operation was unleashed on the party to break it into pieces but the resilience of the party workers and the strength of the MQM message and its connection with the masses helped the party stay united.

The MQM founder hoped a lesson will be learnt and no attempts will be made to stop the party from taking its secular message of women's equality, education for all, enlightenment and elimination of the corrupt feudal system in all parts of Pakistan.