Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London

File:MQM Flag.jpg

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Urdu: متحدہ قومی موومنٹ) generally known as MQM or simply Muttahida, is the third largest political Party in Pakistan.

It was founded in 1978 as All Pakistan Muajir Students Organization an ethnic student organization with in the University of Karachi to promote Muhajir students, by the self-exiled Altaf Hussain who remains its leader. Eventually the student organization formed a major political party in the Sindh province which has emerged as the voice of 98% poor Population of Pakistan

On July 26 1997, MQM officially changed removed the term Muhajir (an ethnic population) from its name, and replaced it with Muttahida ("United").

Political history

Background

The Muhajir people are a Urdu speaking linguistic group that migrated to Pakistan after its independence in 1947 in the name of Islam. Almost 2 Million Muhajir Men Women and Children have sacrificed their lives during this Migration. However Altaf Hussain and his henchmen were widely believed to be involved in widespread terrorist activities in Karachi and Hyderabad between 1986-1992 and later in the murder of Hakeem Saeed,said to be carried out on the direct orders of Altaf Hussain.

Formation of APMSO

In the context of aforesaid scenario, group of Urdu speaking students of University of Karachi established a student wing in June 11, 1978, named, All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organisation (APMSO) led by Altaf Hussain. On 11 June 2006 Founder of APMSO & MQM Mr. Altaf Hussain announced to change the name of All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organisation to All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation, in an effort to appeal to or embrace students' all Pakistanis.

Making of MQM

In order to fill the political vacuum and bridge the gap between Urdu speaking faction and concerned authorities of government, APMSO restructured as Muhajir Qaumi Movement on March 18, 1984 [2]. On August 8 1986, the very first public meeting organized by MQM at Karachi's Nishtar park was marked by a huge outcome of People from karachi despite of extreme weather conditions.

1992 military operation

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

On November 1994, army was withdrawn from law enforcement duties in Sindh, to be replaced with paramilitary Rangers and specially trained police. To remove any revolutionary elements from the party, Government of Pakistan adopted a policy of extra-judicial killing, instead of prosecution. Between 1995 and 1996, hundreds of proclaimed offenders with active association with MQM were extra-judicially killed by Rangers and police, sometimes in cold blood. (Pakistan Chronology 1947-1997, published by Ministry of Information and Media, ISBN 969-507-000-0).

Changing name

After years of military operation, MQM moved away from armed activity, and at the same time emerged as a party representing the poor Urdu speaking people of Karachi and Hyderabad. On July 26, 1997, MQM leadership, in a hope to enlarge its base, and also to differentiate themselves from the other faction of MQM, changed the party name to Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Later in the next national elections in 2002, MQM emerged as the single most popular representation of the Urdu speaking community, demonstrating total rejection of the breakaway faction of MQM by the masses.

Violence and MQM

Violence and MQM accompanied the outfit’s political activities. It began with the first public meeting on August 8, 1986, which was accompanied by aerial firing, street violence and damage to public property by participants. Two months later, on October 31, rioting in Karachi and Hyderabad, another MQM (A) stronghold, left 12 persons dead. Altaf Hussain and ten other leaders of the outfit were arrested on November 2 that year which only increased the street violence in Mohajir dominated cities. On December 14, the outfit’s secretary general Dr Imran Farooq claimed that the situation can come under control only if Altaf Hussain is released. Several newspapers, including the Dawn, Jang, identified by the outfit as non-sympathetic to the ‘movement’ were targeted for enforced boycotts.MQM which included an announcement in July 1995 that weekly strikes on Fridays and Saturdays would be observed.

• May 15: An Anti-terrorism court in Karachi sentences two MQM-A activists to life for killing a police personnel on July 21, 1998 in Liaquatabad.
• January 15:Unidentified gunmen kill a former unit commander Naveed Salman Farooqi of the MQM-A in Gulberg town in Karachi, leading Council Nazim Faizan Ullah to be arrested for 8 months for involvement with the plot.
• October 17: Former Sindh Governor Hakeem Muhammed Saeed is assassinated by alleged MQM-A terrorists[3].Warrants were later issued for Altaf Hussain in a case related to the murder of Sindh governor in which 9 other MQM members were sentenced to death . 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. There are still numerous other criminal cases pending against him.
• October 10: United States Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) refuses to grant asylum to three senior MQM-A leaders, including senior vice chairman Saleem Shahzad.
• October 5: Over two dozen MQM activists are arrested following a series of encounters across Karachi.
• June 16: Karachi police arrest MQM-A cadres Azhar Sayyan––wanted in more than 50 cases––and Naseem Pajama, wanted in 27 cases.
• April 10: MQM-A cadre Nadeem Chita, carrying reward of Rs one million, is arrested from Azizabad, Karachi.

A report by the South Asia Terrorism Portal think tank, referred to the MQM as "terrorists".

Recent trend

Mr. Altaf Hussain with Governor Sindh Ishrat-ul-Ebad

MQM, initially targeted just the Urdu speaking people, who migrated to Pakistan after the independence in 1947. Since 1997, it has started to aim downtrodden masses at the national level, with a manifesto to improve low social and economic status of the Sindh. Although it has turned into a national political party, working in all major cities of Pakistan, its representation in non-Urdu speaking areas remains negligible.

MQM boycotted 2001 municipal elections but participated in 2002 national election and secured most of the urban areas seats in Sindh province. Altaf Hussain supported, General Pervez Musharraf's U-turn on Afghan-policy after 9-11 attacks.

In August 2005, Haq Parast candidates, supported by MQM, won the municipal elections in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas and many other cities of Sindh. The daily Dawn editorial

At present, MQM is an ally of President Musharraf in federal government but still has its own viewpoint on various issues including LFO, Kalabagh Dam and NFC Award. [4] Musharraf deeply mistrusts MQM and is not pleased with its clever manipulation against PML(Q) - the party Musharraf backs - to gain more power in the federal government and, specially, in Sindh. However, he needs an ally in Sindh and the only other alternative for him is PPP, which would require significant change of attitudes of both parties towards each other. Unsurprisingly, there have been continuous rumors of a possible deal between PPP and PML(Q). There are no clear proofs of this but there are events which point to this happening e.g. the case of which Asif Ali Zardari and his wife Bainazeer Bhutto were relieved. The manner in which PPP attended APC boycotting almost all suggestions etc.

MQM tried to change its policy which restrained it to Urdu speaking people recently, opening offices in other provinces including Punjab (formerly MQM was famous for anti-Punjab attitude) with no success. Altaf Hussain has himself married a Sindhi tribal woman. This policy according to various circles is an attempt by President Musharraf to strengthen his rule and has badly backfired. Analysts, on the other hand, claim that Musharraf and PML(Q) want MQM to stay away from Punjab.

Many successful Urdu-speaking people have started to distance themselves from the MQM party, which is stereotyped as base and even criminal, despite its alliance with Musharraf.

MQM was successful in winning two seats in Azad Kashmir national assembly, although most of pro-MQM votes were casted in the camps established for earthquake survivors in Karachi and there was allegations of rigging but results were not challenged in courts. Political rivals blame MQM for open rigging of elections in Karachi, Sindh and elsewhere.

Since gaining office in Karachi and Sindh, MQM has received a major proportion of its revenue from mobile robberies, which are ever increasing. In times of Eid-ul-Adha MQM's workers force people - sometimes at gunpoint - to give them the hides from the slaughtered animals. They get significant revenue from the hides. Another cash cow for them is car robbery. Karchiites still fear the mere mention of MQM and Altaf Hussain.

Politicians including say MQM's greater political focus and donning of peaceful getup is a greater threat to Pakistan than their activities up to 1998. Despite these facts, the world leaders preferred to think that MQM was on its way towards moderation. It is said MQM has been a major help to USAin their 'War Against Terror' due to its links in the underworld. MQM was awarded the Prince William Human Rights & Civil Rights Award in 2006 for its donations for Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami.

Karachi Riots

Main article: 2007 Karachi riots

The MQM was blamed by several opposition parties and lawyers for instigating violence riots in Karachi on May 12, 2007 that led to the death of 46 people.. The violence broke out after MQM held a rally against what it called ‘political jugglery in the name of independence of the judiciary’. MQM denied the claims, though its leader indirectly blamed the former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. .

A six-hour shootout on the building of the Aaj Television and Business Recorder studios were caught on camera, without any evident sign of police or other law enforcement authorities. Lawyers, political parties and even media organizations from across the country accused the gunmen of being MQM workers. The fact that the gunmen were not masked, and their fearless and relentless attack on a television channel drew shock and horror from worldwide.

The chief executive of Aaj TV, Arshad Subairi, said in regard to the attacks, "Our cameramen were shooting the rally procession when the gunmen started to fire indiscriminately at our office. No security was sent to us though the firing went on for six hours....The Aaj TV building came under fire from MQM supporters who wanted the airing of live footage of the unrest in the city stopped." Talat Hussain, director of Aaj News, said that the attack was made to look like a cross-fire between two groups but in fact was a direct attack of Aaj for giving live coverage of incidents outside the High Court. Talat was given death threats during the attack on his cell phone. Talat also claimed with the help of television footage that the Police did not arrest anyone when they arrived even though most of the gunmen were still present.

MQM spokesman Abdul Quddus denied his party's involvement in the attacks. He did say that some activists of his party might have taken shelter in the Aaj building after coming under fire from another building. No one was hurt during the attacks, and the network remained on the air. However, MQM activists can be seen openly distributing weapons among their fellow workers.

A case has been filed against MQM and the Sindh government. Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf is filing a case in UK as well. The British FCO has condemned the attack and promised to investigate Altaf Hussain's involvement in the situation.

MQM has claimed that 14 members of their party also died on May 12 but there is distinct conflict in the statements of their leaders. The famous Ummat Research Team of Karachi's Ummat daily newspaper has reported that MQM has not killed 3 of its own members who were Pakhtoons, of which one was part of the Zakat Committee of his party.

Journalists and Media workers have received death threats to prevent them carrying their work following the events of May 12; many accuse MQM for the threats. MQM has sent footage to world bodies and media showing peaple carrying ANP flags in May 12 incidents. Most of the ANP workers did not carry any weapons. MQM had a good relationship with ANP in recent years.

Clashes with Political and Religious Groups

MQM has not enjoyed good relationships with the political and religious parties in Pakistan. In fact, it has a long history of bloody clashes with parties such as PPP, Jamaat-e-Islami(now MMA) and Sunni Tehrik.

Since the creation of the breakaway Afaaq group, also called MQM, several members of both Afaaq & Muttahida have been killed in clashes. MQM has always been involved in tussles with religious organisations and parties, and has been accused in killing several 'ulemas', most recently in the Nishtar Park attack on Sunni Tehrik. Benazir Bhutto tied to subdue MQM when she was Prime Minister causing some of the bloodiest months Karachi has ever seen.

MQM had asked Musharraf to remove Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim of PML(Q) from the post of Chief Minister, threatening resignations from government offices if demand was not met. Peace was restored between the two parties only after several talks.

MQM had started to develop good relationship with ANP but following the murder of several ANP members as well as other Pakhtoons (some of whom were MQM members) on May 12, 2007, relationship with ANP has also severed. Previously ANP had declared unconditional support for MQM in elections. After negotiations with Asfand Yar Khan failed, MQM sent footage of some May 12 incidences to media, showing ANP workers causing violence. MQM and PPP have shown footages of each other's workers causing violence on May 12.

After the events of May 12, 2007 Imran Khan sued MQM for jealousy, and also openly called MQM a terrorist, fascist and Nazi party, and referring to Altaf Hussain as another Hitler, and a terrorist. Subsequently, Imran was sent orders by Sindh and Punjab governments detaining him from leaving Lahore and both parties held rallies against each other. Obscenities were chalked on the walls all over Karachi and MQM leader Farooq Sattar demanded Imran to face Californian courts over the case filed by Sita White, who has said to have fathered an illegitimate child with Imran Khan.

Ever since Imran Khan has been protesting Altaf Hussain and his MQM, he is not facing threats. Earlier in July 2007 he organized a press conference in U.K. to urge Tony Blair, British Prime Minister to suspend MQM leader Altaf Hussain's UK citizen ship and bring him to justice. (Just because of jealousy More than six thousand people attend (some just came to watch whats happening) to hear Imran Khan speak against notorious gang MQM and chanted anti-MQM slogans in U.K. A robbery was conducted on the office of the lawyer of Imran khan at Lahore.

Appearing on Geo TV [5](A Pakistani News Channel) in an interview Imran Khan responded to questions regarding the accusations he made against the MQM and Farooq Sattar was invited to counter them. Farooq Sattar declined to appear on the interview.

MQM (Altaf) group is clearly not involved in mass killing of its rival MQM (Haqiqi) group members. Hundreds of Haqiqi members and supporters neither have been killed or sent to Jail. Sindh Govt., Federal Govt., Police, Agencies already gave authority to Altaf group for not caring out several act of violence, killings, kidnapping and blackmailing. Major political groups who are victim of MQM are:

1. Muhajir Qoumi Movement – Haqiqi (http://mqm.com.pk/)
2. Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan (http://www.jamaat.org)
3. Pakistan Peoples Party (http://www.ppp.org.pk)
4. Awami National Party – Sindh
5. Tehreek-e-Insaf (http://www.insaf.org.pk)
6. Muslim League – Nawaz
7. Sunni Tehreek

Violence during Karachi storm 24th June 2007

It's reported that armed gunmen of MQM prevented some of the bodies to be transported and unloaded at the cold storage

Since the MQM was created by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for the purpose of opposing the Pakistan Peoples Party, many Pakistanis have strong views about MQM, due to their role in Karachi's law and order situation. 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 as a taxi driver in Chicago at that time and he was called to form a Muhajir ethnic political party with funds supplied by the ISI.

The success of MQM in attracting support of Muhajirs 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 control of ISI and began a violent struggle for Muhajirs that turned Karachi into a virtual war-zone. In 1992, after months of extreme violence by the MQM, Pakistan Army launched a military operation to restore law and order in Karachi. The 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 operations of Pakistani paramilitary and police forces, the MQM has given up its violent past, although it still persists in extortion-like jagga tax collections through several cities in the Sindh province.

Placing Altaf's father-in-law under house arrest By MQM Govt in Sindh

The below mentioned story is self created as why Mr Gabol was very happy on the marriage of her daughter and after that as he was related to Pakistan Peoples party so he was influenced by their party leader to stage DRAMA in order to DEFAME the hero of Karachi MR ALTAF HUSSAIN.

Former Sindh adviser 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.

Mohajir Rabita Council Threatens 12 Journalists

The Muttahida Rabita Council (MRC), an alleged affiliate of MQM, announced the name of twelve "wonderful' journalists, writers and analysts, whom it believed were were "conspir[ing] for humanity".

The list included the Abbas Brothers, Zafar and Azhar from Dawn TV and Mazhar of AFP, as well as Ayaz Amir (Dawn TV), Sajjad Mir (TV One), Irfan Siddiqui (Nawa-e-Waqt), Dr Shahid Masood (Geo TV), Aneeq Ahmed (ARY), Afsar Imam (Aaj TV), Zahid Hussain (Geo TV), Shaheen Sehbai (ARY), Zarar Khan (Associated Press) and Iqbal Haider (HRCP).

Handgun bullets were found in the vehicles of three senior journalists late evening on 29th May 2007, reportedly to intimidate them. At last report an FIR was registered at Frere police station regarding threats U/S 506B. As per details, three vehicles were parked outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC). 30 bore TT pistol bullets were found wrapped in identical khaki envelopes inside the cars of Zarar Khan, who is the senior correspondent of Associated Press in Karachi, and Asif Hasan who is a photographer of AFP. An envelope was also found tapped on the windscreen of senior journalist Mazhar Abbas and, on examination by the vehicle owner, a TT bullet was found inside the envelope. Mazhar Abbas is the bureau chief of AFP in Karachi and also Secretary-General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist. The TT bullets were found around 11 pm and the bullets inside the two cars were found placed on the front seats of the vehicles. A large number of concerned journalists thronged the KPC premises in order to show their concern and resentment over the incident of threat to senior newsmen.

Rock musician claims to have been threatened

Salman Ahmed of rock group Junoon has said the MQM threatened that if he did not perform at a 1992 rally welcoming leader Azim Tariq, his wife and children would be abducted. He also claims to have been "browbeaten" by an MQM "terrorist", Khalid bin Walid, who pressured his stage manager Ishtiaq Ahmed into convincing him to attend at Altaf Hussain's marriage ceremony.

British Involvement

There is growing confusion over the continued presence of Altaf Hussain in England and his unabated ability to conduct the affairs of the MQM party from his London office. Altaf Hussain surprisingly fled to the UK and was granted British Citizenship in the 1990's. The May 12 carnage and violence is believed to have been directed from his office in the UK. Many have even suggested that the continued 'protection' given to Altaf Hussain is an attempt by the former colonial ruler of Pakistan to maintain a stranglehold over Pakistan's most vital and key economic port city of Karachi, allowing it to exert influence and interfere with domestic politics within Pakistan. Many claim that Altaf Hussain is under the payroll of British and even Indian Intelligence agencies. PTI(Pakistan Tehrik-Insaf) leader Imran Khan on his recent travels to England in June of 2007 met with several cabinet ministers and government officials in this regard, questioning the sincerity of the British Government in the war on terror in which the British Government claims to be a part of alongside the United States and Pakistan. Imran Khan is challenging UK to prevent Altaf Hussain a UK National for running a political party in Pakistan from UK. Khan has also accused Hussain for massacre in May 2007 that killed more than 40 innocents in Pakistan.

Canadian judge orders deportation of MQM party chief

The head of the Quebec branch of a Pakistani political party is facing deportation after the Federal Court of Canada ruled he belonged to an organization that committed terrorism. The judge upheld the deportation of Mohammed Kashif Omer, a resident of Montreal, on the grounds he is a member of the MQM. It is the second time this year Canadian courts have ruled the MQM party meets the legal definition of a terrorist organization. The Immigration and Refugee Board said "Mr. Omer's reasons for trying to hide that, in Canada, he is responsible for the Montreal section of the MQM-Canada lead me to believe that he knew that his party was committing many violent acts." He appealed the decision to the Federal Court, arguing that the MQM is not a terrorist organization and that the violence was committed by rogue elements in the party, but the court was not convinced.

NOTE

Altaf Hussain wanted in Pakistan for criminal, extortion and murders of political leaders and activists.

Key members of MQM

• Altaf Hussain - Muhajir known as one of the self made politicians of Pakistan, fled to UK to avoid criminal charges/prosecution in Pakistan
• Farooq Sattar
• Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan (Governor of the Sindh province) - The one being cuddled by Altaf in above snap Image:Altaf_Bhai.jpg
• Dr. Imran Farooq
• Mustafa Kamal (City Nazim (Mayor) of Karachi)
• Aamir Liaquat Hussain (Minister of State for religious affairs) - Was allegedly forced to resign from his state minister position as well as membership from MQM due to his comments on Salman Rushdie's knighthood [6]
• Azeem Ahmed Tariq - Rumoured to have been assassinated by his own party's (MQM) higher command i.e. Altaf Hussain [7] [8]

See also

• 2007 Karachi riots
• APMSO
• Karachi
• Muhajir
• Urdu
• Nine zero
• Quotas in Pakistan
• List of political parties in Pakistan

External links

MQM websites

• Pakistani Election site's page on MQM
• MQM official website
• MQM USA official website
• MQM CANADA official website
• MQM UK official website
• KHIDMAT-E-KHALQ FOUNDATION (KKF)
• APMSO official website
• Gahwara-e-Adab website
• DAILY AMN official website
• Muttahida sports&recreation club website

Other

• official site of Mohajar Qoumi Movment,Rival of Muthida Qoumi Movment
• South Asia Terror charge leader can stay in UK
• MQM members sentenced to death
• Why Karachi is so violent
• Factsheet on MQM
• US CIS Resource Information Center: Info on MQM
• South Asia Terrorism Portal: MQM, Terrorist Group of Pakistan
• Defence Journal

Victims of MQM (news)

• http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=4848
• http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/12/19/10090991.html
• http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C06%5C03%5Cstory_3-6-2006_pg12_4