Altaf Hussain posters taken down in MQM's Karachi stronghold

Monday’s rioting by party workers and Altaf’s inciteful speech triggered a crackdown against MQM

In a latest of a series of developments, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain's posters were removed overnight from party strongholds in Karachi.

Footage showed MQM supremo's posters torn and lying on the streets in party strongholds, including Nine Zero, Mukka Chowk and  Jinnah ground, Express News reported.



PHOTO: EXPRESS

Watch the video here:



Interestingly, the name of the party's leader on Wikipedia has also been changed from that of Altaf Hussain to Farooq Sattar.

Screengrab: Wikipedia

Monday’s rioting by MQM workers and Altaf’s inciteful speech triggered a crackdown leading to the sealing of the party’s headquarters Nine Zero, along with several other offices, in the metropolis and elsewhere in Sindh. At least four treason cases were also registered against Altaf and his senior aides in different police stations of the city.

Unlike the past, Altaf’s speech failed to stir up trouble in Karachi. Instead his senior aides, including Dr Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Nasreen Jalil and Amir Liaquat Hussain, disowned the all-powerful London office of the party and decided to run the party from Pakistan.

PHOTO: EXPRESS



The interior minister in a lan and order meeting in the city on Monday said the federal and Sindh governments reiterated their resolve that nobody would be allowed to ignite fire of hatred and spread terrorism in any form in the city.

“Any activity which causes threat to life, liberty, public and private property, business activities and day-to-day life will be dealt with an iron hand,” he said.

Nisar said the government has launched a ‘safe city project’ in consultation with defence and security experts in Islamabad, and it would be replicated in Karachi.

“The Centre will support the Sindh government in dealing with terrorism and crime in Karachi,” he said, adding that the prime minister would also convene a high-level meeting of the chief ministers in Islamabad where security issues would be discussed.

PHOTO: EXPRESS



Asked if the government planned to ban the MQM, he said, “It is provincial government’s mandate. If the provincial government recommends a ban, the federal government and its agencies will implement it.”

Lawmaker arrested

Meanwhile, MQM's member National Assembly (MNA) Asif Hasnain was arrested from Karachi airport on Thursday afternoon, according to Express News.

On Tuesday, Rangers had interrogated Hasnain and Sheeraz Waheed, another party leader, in connection with the party supremo's hate speech and subsequent violence in the city.