KARACHI – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain has said Quaid-i-Azam never sought Pakistan to be a theocratic state. Pakistanis should step forward to change the conventional system and put Pakistan on path of progress. The MQM chief said that the MQM wants Pakistan a real democratic, liberal, secular and progressive state envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He was talking to gathering of notables at the residence of MNA Khushbakht Shujaat. He said that MQM is struggling for a Pakistan where everyone has equal rights irrespective of their religious belief, language, race, gender, colour and sect.He also said that the main objective of MQM is to make the society where life, property, and honour of an individual would be secure and government decisions are taken purely on merit.Referring to the speech of the Quaid-i-Azam delivered to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, Mr Hussain said that the Quaid-i-Azam never dreamed Pakistan as theocratic state. He pointed out that the Quaid`s vision was distorted by extremist groups encouraging Shia and Sunni rift. He termed recent bomb blasts targeting Bohri community near Hyderi market completely against the teachings of Islam and vision of Quaid-i-Azam.Mr Hussain said that religious tolerance, sectarian harmony and inter-faith goodwill were essential elements of the MQM’s manifesto. He urged upon the students to come forward and elect qualified people by ballet. If the country has an MQM’s prime minister, and the party gets a chance to serve for five years, it would at least make Pakistan a liberal and progressive country even if it could not make it like France. He said the LG system would help to solve the problems at the doorsteps. But specific people wanted the old commissioners in order to subjugate people hence attempting to mislead people on LG system. Keeping in view the increasing number of protest demonstrations and rallies in metropolis and the problems being faced by Karachiites, Mr Hussain demanded Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to select a particular place and ban such demonstrations and rallies in the rest of the City. In response to a question, Mr Hussain said that Balochistan issue would not be resolved through artificial measures. Estranged Baloch leaders on mountains would have to be engaged in dialogues, and bitter pills would have to be swallowed for the integrity and survival of Pakistan.