Altaf swears MQM has no connection with Indian spy agency RAW

Addressing workers at MQM headquarter Nine Zero, party chief says people are pushing for an 'MQM minus Altaf'...

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Monday swore that neither he, nor his party had any connection with Indian intelligence agency RAW.

“I swear upon God that neither MQM nor I have any connection with Raw,” said Altaf while addressing supporters via telephone at Lal Qila ground, Karachi on Monday evening.

He added that if Raw makes plans against Pakistan, the MQM would fight alongside the army against Indians.

“Those who are enemies of Pakistan they are enemies of MQM.”

After a BBC documentary came out earlier this week alledging that some members of the party had ties with Raw and had taken money from the Indian spy agency, Altaf asked were there also not individuals in the Army and ISI who were found working against the state, and that such people were then court martialed?

“We are but a political party, so if any such individual is found among us, the most we can do is expel them.”

He added that the party has zero tolerance for terrorists and criminals, and that if the LEAs had any proof against any party worker, then the MQM will expel them from the party.

Altaf also urged Director General Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar to take honest decisions and feel the pain of the families those workers who had been killed extra-judicially by law enforcement agencies.

The MQM chief also directed the party's Rabita Committee to check whether there is anyone in the party who says he have received training in India, if yes, then inform the party or report it to LEAs.

Addressing party workers, the MQM supremo said that some people are pushing for an 'MQM minus Altaf' formula. "A lot of work is being done on that [formula]."

Pointing at the crowd gathered to listen to his speech, the MQM chief warned that if he is removed, his supporters will stand divided and there will be war in the streets with no one able to stop it.

Read: Rangers Raid: ‘53 weapons seized from Nine Zero illegal’

During his speech, Altaf said that all the provinces in the country have been formed along ethnic and linguistic lines. He demanded that the quota system should be abolished.

Taking a jibe at establishment and Pemra, Altaf said that broadcast of his speeches have been banned.

The MQM chief alleged that people in different areas have been warned not to give ‘Fitra’ and ‘Zakat’ to MQM. He also alleged that during the by-elections in NA-246, women and elders saw Rangers stamping on PTI’s ‘Bat’.

Later MQM announced ‘dharnas’ over conspiracies hatched against the party. Details of the protest will be released by the Rabita Committee later.

Rangers raid Azizabad telephone exchange

Rangers encircled a telephone exchange on Monday evening in the Azizabad area of the city.

The law enforcement agency (LEA) cordoned off the area and deployed a heavy contingent of the force in the surrounding area, Express News reported.

Rangers’ personnel blocked all roads leading to the exchange. The staff at the exchange was also questioned.


While the reason for the raid was not immediately know, the raid took place at a time when MQM leader Altaf Hussain was addressing supporters via telephone from London.