Altaf Hussain (Pakistani politician)

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This article is about the politician. For the journalist, see Altaf Husain.


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. Mr. Hussain was a cab driver in Chicago, United States, where he applied for asylum in the United States which was denied. He was recruited by the Pakistan Military Intelligence, ISI in the United States to form MQM as a counter against Pakistan Peoples Party [citation needed]. Altaf Hussain is labeled by some in Pakistan, as an Indian Agent [citation needed]. Hussain insists that he is unable to go to Pakistan as he may be assassinated.[citation needed]

Although Altaf Hussain paints himself as a Pakistani hero, at a conference in India in May 2005, he said, the "idea of Pakistan was dead at its inception" and that "the division of the subcontinent was the biggest blunder...it was not the division of land, it was the division of blood."[1]


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 This claim of Althaf Hussain is denied throughout the world [citation needed] Some of his loyal followers still try to run terrorist activities, though they are now tightly monitored by ISI and anti-corruption services e.g. NAB.[citation needed]

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. Their ideology is to make people realize that Urdu language speaking people are oppressed of fundamental rights in Pakistan.[citation needed]

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. [citation needed]

May 12, 2007 Karachi Riots

The MQM has been held responsible for instigating violence in Karachi on May 12, 2007 that led to the death of at least 42 people.[2]

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 the sacked Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry flew into Karachi to address the Sindh High Court Bar Association. He was, however, forced to leave for Islamabad after waiting at the airport for several hours. This was due to the banishment order for his panel of lawyers from the Sindh government.

Lawyers, political parties and media organisations from across the country protested over the involvement of MQM workers in the attack of Aaj TV.[3]

Dispute with Imran Khan

Imran Khan the leader of Tehrik-i-Insaaf has been vocal in holding Altaf Hussain responsible for the May 12,[2007] Karachi Riots. Imran Khan has said he will take legal action against Altaf Hussain because as leader of the MQM he is directly responsible for the actions of his party.[4]

In response to this he was banned by the MQM majority Sindh provincial government from entering Sindh thus not allowing him to carry out planned rallies in Karachi,Sindh, [5] this was later lifted. MQM has also filed a reference against Imran Khan seeking his disqualification as a member of the National Assembly because no person involved in extra-marital affairs is allowed to stand for or sit as a member of parliament. [6]

There have been rumours of a MQM, Imran Khan reconciliation, however this has been denied by Imran Khan.[7]

Threat to Junoon Artist

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")


References

  1. ^ "Altaf Hussain in India" (HTML). Retrieved 2007-06-15.
  2. ^ "Karachi death toll rises to 42". Daily Times Pakistan. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
  3. ^ "Journalists protest attack on Aaj TV". Daily Times Pakistan. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
  4. ^ "Sindh lifts entry ban on Imran". The News Pakistan. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
  5. ^ "MQM files reference against Imran". The Dawn. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  6. ^ "Imran, Altaf, PIA and Pakistan Politics". Pakistaniat.com. Retrieved 2007-07-15.


Media links
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