Altaf Hussain urges people to rise above political differences to protest against MQM MPA's murder. PHOTO: APP/FILE
In a statement issued on Friday, after MQM MPA Sajid Qureshi, and his son was gunned down in Karachi, Altaf appealed to the people of Pakistan to raise their voice against the brutal killings.
The MQM chief said that the Taliban were the most cowardly group of people on the face of the earth who were ambushing and killing innocent people. He said that there were some established norms in the world about wars. However, the killing of innocent people with sophisticated weapons was an unmitigated act of cowardice.
Altaf said that no leniency should be shown to the bloodthirsty killers and every effort should be made to protect the life and property of common people. He urged the people to rise above their political differences and take part in protest demonstrations for making it clear to the world that Pakistan is a country of peace-loving and democratic people.
COMMENTS (46)
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No matter how much I dislike Altaf Hussain I cannot dislike this comment of his. He has challenged the Taliban head on and is willing to tell the bearded barbarians who they really are.
Atleast one person rose up to condemn the atrocities of the Taliban.
@Aysha M: Just do an objective survey of neighborhoods in Karachi and try to find out who is behind air firing? Likewise, visit educational institutions, in particular institutions of higher education and try to find out who is pressuring whom for grades and other favors. Finally, share your findings here. Thanks.
@Aysha M: For one thing, you can join MQM with or without free will but you cannot leave it without untoward consequences.
@Aysha M: "When the electoral mandate was translated into administrative mandate Karachi witnessed considerable peace and progress. Not sure how can it be seen as coercive politics" In my neighborhood someone who campaigned for PPP (perhaps after quitting MQM) was brought as a dead body to the parents. There are instances of aerial firing in many localities, including in my own, since 2005, just to scare the residents to fall in line. APMSO students, and especiallly student leaders, are known to harass teachers for favorable marking of their exams. They also press for waiver for short attendance.
@Well Wisher: When the electoral mandate was translated into administrative mandate Karachi witnessed considerable peace and progress. Not sure how can it be seen as coercive politics
Altaf Hussain if you can hold on Karachi then it doesn't mean that now you can fool and deceive the whole Pakistani nation by your fabricated,embellished and false statements....
@Well Wisher: What coercive politics did you witness when Mustafa Kamal was our city mayor? There was peace and development unheard of by the inhabitants of the city
@Aysha M (original version): "MQM has a team of honest, dedicated, educated middle class young folks" Nevertheless, it practices coercive politics.
@Aaliya: I could'nt have said it better.
The nation is blinded by such hate that they don't see sanity in these statements. Such a hopeless situation...
@umar: Once more political maturity is gained, you will find yourself agreeing with MQM on issues more often than not
A genuine leader is like a teacher or a coach, whose ability should be judged by the team he produces. MQM has a team of honest, dedicated, educated middle class young folks
@Rustam: You can say that if you sit a continent away
The pot telling the kettle, you are black. Who is the coward, living and enjoying the English weather or the poor people suffering in karachi.
@modi: @bilal: Wouldnt recommend that We have already lost a liberal progressive leader in Benazir, cannot afford more loss at the hands of Taliban
Yes. This human hatred and fratricide must end. The sectarian divisions that divide the Islamic world are largely the result of the bipolar reasoning of mullahs. Salams
@Babloo: Politics and reasoning are so confusing that if you start at one given point you will not end up anywhere. A RIGMAROLE. (Please correct me where I am wrong, which mullah today, has brought a signal change of brotherhood in Pakistan?)
Quote, "As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also." Thomas Jefferson - Brainyquotes.com/
Appreciate the comments no doubt.. but at the same time you sitting in London makes you parallel to them
Altaf bhai people of Karachi really need your presence in Karachi to face the insurgents together. they need their leader physically presence
I term you the most cowardly person in the world! So easy to say such statements sitting in another country while your party members are getting killed. your not brave enough to be in Pakistan and lead your party. That's right, you, Altaf Hussain, are the most cowardly person in the world.
TTP can't be categorized in the human species.
Must be true. If it comes from someone who hasn't returned to his home constituency for 20 years!
Altaf Hussain has not been to Pakistan in 20 years. He is no paragon of courage. This is a mafia style war. They are both thugs and they are both killing each other.
Innocent people are getting killed in the cross fire. There should be an across the board operation in Karachi. Weed out all the thugs regardless of party affiliation.
killing of innocent people with sophisticated weapons . Does he mean that they should rather use 9mm pistols as used in Karachi for target killings.
Sorry, but this doesn't make you a hero.
@Imran:
Hello, even coalition of richest and most powerful nations is talking to Taliban. Pakistan does not even count.
Look who is saying this.. A party leader in self-exile for more than decade, who fears his life. Passing statement from peaceful and secure place (London) is quiet easy.. show some courage and return to Karachi and then pass this statement...
@yasiry2j: Where's your beloved leader ? Embracing TTP?
after MQM
The third regime of Nawaz Sharif started wIth bad taste for law and situations in the whole country especially at Karachi. There is no lice is creeping in the airs of Federal Government specially showbaz Sharif nowas Sharif. The same people have come to the power after taking bath and changing some new dresses. These people were looting the nation with the Permanent Pluderers Party. There is no any relief to the masses in the budget and the terrorism is rising day by day.
During election campaign Nawaz Sharif was giving speeches and saying that Gharib Admi ka Pakistan mein bura haal hai or log khud kushiyan karne pe majboor hai. Yesterday you were the coaltion partners of the looters and again you came to the power and pushing the masses to the walls.
Since PML (N) third short regime I never heard any statement from P.M. & Chaudhary Nisar. We have not seen any action plan by the Federal Government for Karachi. How this Government will cope with the worst economic conditions when the big city and business hub of Pakistan is burning. Every week there is mourning day and strike calls. Now it seems the main culprit behind this all scenarios are Federal Government and they need to get rid of Karachi and need to separate from Pakistan.
Let Allah take care of these world's worst people on earth in the name of Islam there gays are near and they will be engulfed every body will see that I have faith in Allah
@Emjay: Welcom to the club of the honest and the mature.
To ET Moderator...thank you for adjusting my comments...i want to contribute to ET but, sometime i just cannot hold my anger on certain issues created by these politicians....
Says the guy sat in London
I am not a fan of MQM nor do i like their leader. His style and antics will make any normal person laugh. However, i do think he is the only one making bold statements against the barbarians. Remember the Imran khan episode when he declined to condemn the shooters of Malala in fear of retaliation. I think silence on this issue by any politician is criminal neglect. Its even worse than doctors committing negligence. I agree with MQM on this issue.
What's wrong with you guys, Altaf comments are very justified in every single manner and theses Taliban must be punished for killing of innocent people.
@Rustam It might be the "most courageous" and even correct thing to say, but I don't think it takes a lot of courage to say it sitting 1000s of KM in the luxury of your home.
If you have any courage , then why don't you come and say that publicly in Pakistan
Lone voice in the wilderness against Taliban
Only Altaf Hussain and MQM has the guts to say this while Jamaatis and PTI are full cozy with TTP !
First time, I liked what this guy said.
The misguided people in the form of TTP are ruling us based on chaos and terror. Our security agencies are a big failure for the nation. No action against MQM complaints and the repeated contiuous complaints are not heeded to.
Bravo! We need more people like you.
And what about yourself Mr Altaf Hussain!!
Its very strange that the most loathed of our political leader is saying the most courageous thing. No other political leader sans some in ANP have the courage to say it.
and I wonder what is your party's ranking ? Mr.Brave