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During these times, a small factions of MQM separated itself from main body of party and formed MQM ''Haqiqi'' ({{lang-en|Real MQM}}). It is generally believed that it was formed to weaken MQM and was supported by successive federal governments and military. The political violence that started in 1990 gained momentum and military was called in by the provincial government. This operation sought to eliminate all terrorists irrespective of their political affiliation. MQM perceived this operation as an attempt to wipe out the party altogether.<ref name="AMN"/> During these times, Altaf Hussain left the country for Britain and since then party is being run on autopilot by Hussain from London.<ref name="cohen"/>
During these times, a small factions of MQM separated itself from main body of party and formed MQM ''Haqiqi'' ({{lang-en|Real MQM}}). It is generally believed that it was formed to weaken MQM and was supported by successive federal governments and military. The political violence that started in 1990 gained momentum and military was called in by the provincial government. This operation sought to eliminate all terrorists irrespective of their political affiliation. MQM perceived this operation as an attempt to wipe out the party altogether.<ref name="AMN"/> During these times, Altaf Hussain left the country for Britain and since then party is being run on autopilot by Hussain from London.<ref name="cohen"/>


==Terrorism allegations==
MQM has been a focus of numerous terrorism allegations. Major criticisms emerged during the political violence of 1990 and upon the incident of March 12, 2008. Canadian Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs declared MQM as 'a terrorist organization' in light various reports from credible institutions.<ref name="canada">{{cite web|url=http://reports.fja.gc.ca/eng/2006/2006fc246/2006fc246.html|title=Jalil v. Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) (F.C.)|publisher=Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs|accessdate=2009-07-28}}</ref> US government, in a 1998 report, declared MQM as a 'cause of much of the violence' in Karachi. Allegations of fostering the criminal elements and generating income through extortion and racketeering were also made in this report.<ref name="us98">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1998_hrp_report/pakistan.html|title=1998 - Human Rights Report - Pakistan|date=1999-02-26|publisher=U.S. Department of State|accessdate=2009-07-28}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 11:40, 30 July 2009

Template:Infobox Pakistani Political Party

Muttahida Quami Movement. (Template:Lang-ur, Template:Lang-en) generally known as MQM , is a political party in Pakistan. It is the largest liberal political party of Karachi, representing the immigrants who migrated from India to Pakistan in 1947.[citation needed] It is generally known as a party which holds immense mobilizing potential in province of Sindh.[1] The student organization, All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization (APMSO), was founded in 1978 by Altaf Hussain which subsequently gave birth to the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in 1984.[2] Initially founded on quasi-socialist lines, the organization now maintains liberal, progressive and secular stances on many political and social issues. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pakistan Army's Operation Cleanup leaving hundreds of civilians dead[3][4].

On July 26, 1997, MQM officially removed the term Muhajir from its name, and replaced it with Muttahida ("United") to "further the programme of national development" and to carry out "a nation-wide campaign against feudal domination."

The MQM is one of few socially liberal political parties in Pakistan and organized the largest rallies in Pakistan in protest of the actions of al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001 demonstrating sympathy with the victims of the terrorist attacks by Taleban extremists.

History

Foundation

Muhajirs (literally: refugees) were the Urdu-speaking Muslims who migrated to Pakistan when this country emerged independent from British India in 1947. Karachi was then home to very diverse set of ethnicities including Urdu and Gujrati speaking immigrants, Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, Baluchis and foreigners from several south asian countries. It was this very ethic rivalry that led to Muhajir political mobilizaton, which was further provoked by stagnant economy and tales of Biharis in Bangladesh concentration camps.[5] Thus, the first political organization of Muhajirs, called All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization (APMSO), was founded in 1978 which later evolved into MQM in 1984. APMSO was launched by Altaf Hussain to protect Muhajirs who perceived themselves as the victims of discrimination and repression by the quota system that gave weightage to ethnicity for university admissions and civil services employment.[2][6]

Late '80s era

MQM won November 1987 local body elections in Karachi and several other urban centers of Sindh. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won the general elections of 1988 and formed a coalition government in the Sindh province with the help of MQM, which then had larger mandate in urban Sindh in comparison to PPP whose majority of support came from rural areas on Sindh. This alliance broke up in October 1989 when MQM joined hands with PPP's opponents.[2]

1990s era

In early 90s, political violence erupted and while MQM organized protests and strikes, the PPP government responded with mass arrests and a widespread "Operation Clean-up" to seize unauthorized arms. The lawlessness prevailed and government was dismissed. In October 1990 elections, MQM emerged as the third strongest party in the country. This time it made its alliance with Pakistan Muslim League to establish government in Sindh.

During these times, a small factions of MQM separated itself from main body of party and formed MQM Haqiqi (Template:Lang-en). It is generally believed that it was formed to weaken MQM and was supported by successive federal governments and military. The political violence that started in 1990 gained momentum and military was called in by the provincial government. This operation sought to eliminate all terrorists irrespective of their political affiliation. MQM perceived this operation as an attempt to wipe out the party altogether.[2] During these times, Altaf Hussain left the country for Britain and since then party is being run on autopilot by Hussain from London.[5]


References

  1. ^ Mitra, Subrata Kumar (2004). Political parties in South Asia (illustrated ed.). Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 366. ISBN 0275968324. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d "Pakistan: Human rights crisis in Karachi". Amnesty International. 1996-02-01. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
  3. ^ Rise of the MQM in Pakistan: Politics of Ethnic Mobilization, Farhat Haq, Asian Survey, Vol. 35, No. 11 (Nov., 1995), pp. 990-1004, University of California Press
  4. ^ Ethnicity and State Power in Pakistan: The Karachi Crisis, Moonis Ahmar, Asian Survey, Vol. 36, No. 10 (Oct., 1996), pp. 1031-1048, Published by: University of California Press
  5. ^ a b Cohen, Stephen P. (2004). The idea of Pakisan (illustrated ed.). Brookings Institution Press. p. 382. ISBN 0815715021. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
  6. ^ Kronstadt, K. Alan (2008-01-24). "Pakistan's Scheduled 2008 Election: Background" (PDF). Congressional Research Service, Govt. of USA. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
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