Altaf Hussain (Pakistani politician)
Altaf Hussain (Urdu: الطاف حسین) is the leader of Pakistan's political party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement formerly known as the Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Early life
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Exile to London
On December 21, 1991 Altaf Hussain was attacked but he escaped injuries. On January 1 1992 he fled Pakistan for Saudi Arabia and after one month moved to London, United Kingdom with the help of then Prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif . During 1992 to 1993 Altaf Hussain's brothers and nephews were killed. The 1992 military operation in Karachi forced Altaf Hussain not to return Pakistan, he requested political asylum in United Kingdom. Later he became citizen of United Kingdom.
Marriage
He married a Baloch Sindhi lady, Malika Faiza Gabol daughter of Faisal Gabol, (now Faiza Altaf) in 2001 . They have a daughter, Afzaa Altaf, 3 years old.
Political ideologies & Reputation
It is said that MQM believes in religious harmony and is against all religious extremism, as well as feudalism, however, ironically, MQM derived its power from violence and corruption. Though living in exile, Altaf Hussain is in continuous contact with his workers and supporters. To them he is known as "Quaid" (Leader). He is vocal against feudalism, military influence in public sectors and religious extremism.
Altaf Hussain is considered to be a leader by a portion of Pakistanis who call themselves "Muhajir". Altaf Hussain and MQM are considered to be against fedual systemst. Altaf Hussain fears reprisals against his life from religious parties. This is the main reason that he has decided not to return to Pakistan despite his party being sharing power at federal, provincial and municipal level. However, one of the major reasons he fled Pakistan is due to the corruption and voilence which he initiated as leader of MQM.
Opposing views
It is generally believed in Pakistan that MQM was created by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the premier military intelligence agency in Pakistan. It was created to break the stronghold of Benazir Bhutto in her home province, Sindh. ISI believed that the ethnic tension between Sindhis and Muhajirs would distract Benazir Bhutto and her political party, Pakistan Peoples Party, from launching campaign against the military government of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Altaf Hussain was living in Chicago at that time and he was called to form a Muhajir ethnic political party with funds supplied by ISI.
The success of MQM in attracting support of Muhjairs both surprised and scared the ISI. This unexpected popularity helped MQM to chart its own independent political course rather than follow the ISI agenda. MQM went out of ISI's control and began a violent struggle for Muhajir ascendancy that turned Karachi into a virtual war-zone. In 1992, after months of extreme violence by MQM thugs, Pakistan Army launched a military operation to restore law and order in Karachi. MQM gunmen were killed or arrested, armories and torture rooms were destroyed. The Army involvement is an indication of the seriousness of the crisis that MQM perpetrated in Karachi. Since the army operation and subsequent heavy-handed law enformcement by Pakistani police and paramilitary forces, MQM has said to have "given up" its violent activities. Since 2002, MQM has entered into an alliance with Perves Musharraf's government and has won the recent City District Government Elections for the Karachi district, electing its own Mustafa Kamal as Nazim of Karachi. Some view the recent acquisition of political clout by MQM through violence and intimidation as a foretaste of future campaigns of violence and terror against all who oppose or criticize its organization, structure or leadership.
Recent trend
MQM boycotted 2001 municipal elections because it believed that the military government in place in Islamabad would not conduct free elections where MQM could win. It later regretted its decision as Jamaat-i-Islami won Mayoral elections in Karachi. MQM participated in 2002 national election and secured most of the urban areas seats in Sindh province. Altaf Hussain supported General Pervez Musharraf's volte-face on September 11, 2001 attacks in New York, USA. Recently he visited India and spoke on many international forums. In 2005, Haq Parast candidates, supported by MQM, won the municipal elections in Karachi and Hyderabad.
Whatever political power the MQM has exists within the confines of Karachi. Leaders and supporters of the party hold many important positions in the government. Most of these government officers use the tactics of fear and intimidation to silence anyone who opposes their agenda.
It is wrongly believed that all Mohajirs in Pakistan are also all active supporters of MQM and its leader Altaf Hussain; Mohajirs from educated and more privileged socio-economic backgrounds do not support the MQM.
Yearwise detail of MQM's atrocities
MQM was and is based on violence and mistrust. The following page gives a clearcut discription of the atrocities committed by MQM(MQMActrocities)
External links
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