Altaf Hussain (Pakistani politician)

Altaf Hussain (Urdu: الطاف حسین) is the leader of the political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), formerly known as the Muhajir Qaumi Movement. Hussain is currently in self-exile at London due to the fact that he faces criminal charges in Pakistan, and after many years under asylum, has been granted British citizenship. Altaf Hussain was in the United States and lived in Chicago where he drove a taxi cab. He later applied for asylum in the United States which was denied.

During the reighn of Zia ul Haq, Altaf Hussain was approached by the Inter Services Intelligence Agency to set up MQM simply as an opposition to Peoples Party.

Murder charges and exile

In order to crush MQM in Urban areas of Sindh, an operation was launched by Pakistan Army in June 19, 1992. Altaf Hussain was urged by followers to leave the country and relocate in London 6 months prior to the operation.

MQM has been linked with widespread terrorist activties in Karachi and Hyderabad. MQM's alleged involvement in the murder of Hakeem Saeed has been the biggest terrorist killing carried out by MQM to date.Arrest warrants for Altaf Hussain were issued and a murder case against him is stil on the record

Political ideologies and reputation

Altaf Hussain credits himself as the first in Pakistan who introduced a new trend in the political culture by giving a non-feudal based political philosophy and forming a political party, which is the commonly associated as a representative of uneducated minorities. Some of his loyal followers still try to run activites, though they are now tightly monitored by ISI and anti-corruption services e.g. NAB.

The government of Pakistan is now fully supporting the activities of MQM, as Mutahidda Quami Movement is an ally in the current government setup in Sindh.

Placing Altaf's father-in-law under house arrest

Former Sindh advisor and father-in-law of Mutthaida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, Faisal Gabol, had been placed under house arrest by the provincial government in June 2003. Gabol said he was being detained but failed to give any reasons why. He said he did not know why he was not being allowed to leave his house. Gabol also said that he did not have any faith in his party, which is in power in Sindh. He said, “Gizri SHO Irfan Kobra came to my house this afternoon around 3:00 p.m. and told me that he had orders to detain me in my house. This is sheer harassment, and this is not the first time that the government has proceeded against me. I was also stopped from traveling to London on May 28,” Gabol said. He said that the SHO told him that he was simply following orders, which were issued by SSP Amin Yousfzai.“I have been under pressure since my daughter developed some domestic issues in London,” Gabol said. Gabol said three police mobile units were stationed outside his house along with 25 police personnel, some of which included officials of the CID. [1]

Involvement in Hakeem Saeed's murder

An operation was launched by the Pakistan Army in June 19, 1992. Altaf Hussain, the founder of MQM, had already fled to London 6 months prior to the operation in order to avoid pros, where he is currently under a self-imposed exile. Warrants were later issued for Altaf Hussain in a case related to the murder of Sindh governor, Hakeem Muhammed Saeed, in which 9 other MQM members were sentenced to death. [2]. He was, however, acquitted in another case by the Sindh High Court from charges of alleged kidnapping and torture of an army major in 1991 [3]. There are still numerous other criminal cases pending against him

May 12, 2007 Karachi Riots

The MQM was blamed by opposition parties and Lawyers for instigating violence in Karachi in May 12, 2007 that led to the death of at least 42 people.Karachi death toll rises to 42. The violence broke out after MQM held a rally against what it called ‘political jugglery in the name of independence of judiciary’. The MQM denied the claims, though its leader indirectly blamed the former justice BBC. The violence intensified just before sacked Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry flew into Karachi to address to Sindh High Court Bar Association. He was, however, forced to leave for Islamabad after waiting at the airport for several hours. This is was due the banishment order for his panel of lawyers from the Sindh government.

Business Recorder by MQM's gunmen without any evident sign of police or other law enforcement authorities. Even more surprising is the fact that the gunmen were not wearing any sort of mask or veil. Lawyers, political parties and even media organisations from across the country protested over involvement of MQM workers in attack of Aaj TV.[4]] one of the investigation agencies working under the federal government about the violence in Karachi on May 12. This agency has confirmed about the involvement of MQM in the violence leaving 42 people dead. According to the Agency Report MQM's top leader assigned 7 of its sectors to completely block road leading towards airport to stop the CJ to enter Karachi and other opposition parties to arrive at airport to greet CJ. When opposition parties attempted to cross hurdles, the MQM activists opened firing on them. That's how the row started that led to 42 people died. Thanks to the private TV Channels who covered most of the events live. Due to the direct involvement MQM most the supporters are angry with their party. Several workers have resigned from MQM across the country. The way MQM reacted on the visit of Chief Justice to Sindh High Court Bar Association, it has further proved that MQM is a terrorist party or in other words a political party with terrorist modus operandi. Some News suggests that UK is also evaluating the allegations against MQM's Leader Altaf Hussain. If proved he will be prosecuted. UK vows that it will not any one to use its soil for planning and executing terrorist activities, as it will spoil the image of UK in the international war against terror.

Junoon artiste says he was threatened by MQM activists

Salman Ahmed of rock group Junoon has said the MQM once threatened him that if he did not perform at its rally, his wife and children would be abducted. In a statement issued here, Ahmed described the incident as having happened in 1992. He said, “They have threatened me on many occasions in the past 15 years. One particular time was when I refused to perform at Altaf’s marriage function in Karachi and London where all other artists, including Ali Azmat, were brow beaten into going and performing for ‘his majesty’s’ pleasure. The man who threatened me was called ‘Khalid bin Walid’ and was a known terrorist and murderer.” Walid apparently told Salman Ahmed that his “Quaid” Altaf Hussain had specially demanded that he appear with Junoon to perform at his wedding. When the singer refused, the man called the singer’s staff and soundman, Ishtiaq Ahmed, and threatened them with dire consequences. According to Salman Ahmed, “Ishtiaq pleaded with me to go and perform or risk being killed. In 1992, the MQM also threatened to abduct my wife and children if I did not show up at an MQM rally to welcome their leader, Azim Tariq.” khalid hasan (source: "Daily Times")

Politcotopn Imran Khan has plan to go court against Altaf hussain. Imean Khan claimes that Altah Hussainis No. 1 Terriost of Pakistan.

References

Other members of MQM

Mustafa Kamal, Mayor of Karachi.
Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Governor of Sindh.

External links

Media links

Imran Khan's comments on Altaf Hussain, Video - YouTube