PRESS RELEASE

MQM CANADA TO SUPPORT CONSERVATIVE PARTY

JANUARY 17, 2006, TORONTO, CANADA

TORONTO: The Central Committee of Qaumi Movement (MQM) Canada has announced its support for the Conservative Party of Canada in the 2006 elections.  According to a Press release issued on Tuesday, this announcement was made after meeting of MQM Canada officials with the chair of national election campaign of the Conservative Party, John Reynold, in which important, complex and burning issues of the Pakistani community were discussed in detail.

The MQM Canada leadership had immediately started contacting the political parties after announcement of the elections to explain them of its position and activities and issues of the Pakistani community. It initiated the negotiations and discussions in the interest of the community. A special booklet on the issues of the community was also presented to leaders of the political parties with the request for study, consideration and comments and views of their parties.

The leaders were requested to explain before the elections the position of their parties on the issues of the community highlighted in the booklet. The feedback received as a result was carefully analyzed and MQM Canada in the best and larger interest of the Pakistani community announced support to the Conservative Party of Canada in the elections of 2006.

The Conservative Party of Canada has assured the MQM Canada that it will seriously and sincerely consider and strive to solve the burning issues of the Pakistani community including employment, immigration, education and health. The Conservative Party also assured MQM that it will play an important role in getting proper recognition of the educational certificates (foreign credentials), expertise and talent of the experts of the Pakistani community. It will make sure that their educational documents are recognized and accepted.

Along with the Conservative Party, many other parties and organizations have praised the role and efforts of the Muttaheda Qaumi Movement to lead and help the Pakistani community and termed it proper, positive and tremendous. The Muttaheda Qaumi Movement Canada has appealed to the people, particularly the community, to come forward and play a positive and active role in the political and electoral process of Canada. MQM Canada asked every individual to take part in the process in the interest of the community, society and the country.