'Religious extremism challenge to Pak viability'

Islamabad, Apr 21: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said religious extremism pose a serious challenge to the very existence of Pakistan.

''In a rapidly changing world scenario, Talibanisation and religious extremism in Pakistan pose a serious challenge to the viability of the country,'' Mr Hussain told The Asians, an Oslo paper.

The MQM leader, who is living in exile in London since 1992, said the fate of the country lies in the hands of its middle class.

All moderate and progressive Pakistanis will have to rise against the ''primitive feudal military political system'' and confront religious extremism and Talibanisation, he asserted.

Referring to the future plans of his outfit, the MQM chief said, ''We are expanding across Pakistan and are being warmly received.'' He exuded confidence that MQM would throw a surprise in Punjab and rural Sindh in the forthcoming general elections as they did in the PoK.

He said MQM had a significant representation in federal and Sindh parliaments and had also won two seats in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir assembly.

Mr Hussain said he would return to Pakistan when he felt safe as he had been the target of several assassination attempts.

''Life in exile is very difficult for leaders belonging to middle and downtrodden classes,'' he added.

The MQM chief shifted to London in 1992 during a military operation in Karachi.

UNI