MQM chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: MQM
MQM chief said he might not be a leader in the eyes of the international community but he is one for the people of Pakistan.
Earlier today, Hussain had voluntarily handed over party’s authority and responsibilities to the Rabita Committee.
Addressing his party members from London, Hussain had said his decision to resign comes after his house in the UK was raided by the Scotland Yard and some material was seized in relation to Dr Imran Farooq’s murder case.
Speaking about Dr Farooq’s murder case, Hussain had said he will not hire any lawyer to fight for him in the court and that he would plead the case himself.
He added that he will accept the court's decision in this case.
Soon after the decision was announced, party members started gathering outside MQM's headquarter Nine Zero in Karachi. The members requested Hussain to take back his resignation.
Farooq’s murder case
Founding member of MQM, Dr Farooq was stabbed to death in Green Lane on Edgware Road on 16 September, 2010 – but leads in the case have been few and far between – or at least not publicised. The anti-terrorist unit of the Metropolitan Police had said that, a few months before his murder, Dr Farooq had been trying to create his own independent political “profile”.
The police force had hinted about the possibility that Dr Farooq might have been thinking of embarking on a new political career, and, therefore, it wanted to talk to everyone who were in contact with him from a political perspective.
It also noted that Dr Farooq had created a new Facebook profile in 2010 and had established many new contacts on the social forum.
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@mrs ahmed: @Aysha M:
Please read the article again. What are "some material" seized? When mandate is challenged in Karachi, he come up with a boiling speech. And here he is portraying him self as humble person 'accepting court decision' when his reputation is in stake? Why he is refusing to take a lawyer? Does he have nothing for fight for?
I support a party and the at same time I have courage to speak up against something I don't like about them. Party leaders are only human and they should not be protected like prophets.
I would like MQM to be present as competitive party in Karachi, but at the same time, I don't like MQM to be played as a puppet from foreign soil.
@Aysha M: If Altaf was really a leader, he would be in Pakistan not hiding in the UK.
I am surprised to see the reaction of all the MQM supporters and leader after the investigation.. guys its just the start wait for the culprit to go behind the bars
What an Oscar performance! The Drama never ends.
"MQM chief said he might not be a leader in the eyes of the international community but he is one for the people of Pakistan."
So when is he winding up MQM International Secretariat in London and set up shop in Pakistan? Michelin tyre companey may sponsor his move!
@Such Bolta Hoon: @Zia Syed: @naeem khan Manhattan,Ks:
MQM is clearly a favourite foe
I should not try to sell Mozart & Beethoven to rap enthusiasts
@Such Bolta Hoon: i am confused at your tirade against @ayesha , she just mntiond prophetic words which came true after 60 years , thats all
I see a lot of prople drooling at the thought of altaf hussain getting his comeuppance and them getting ready to pounce upon karachi. Altaf husain may have done many wrongs but in heart every karachiite knows that he and mqm are the only protectors against the ethnically driven lot who consider karachi as a golden goose only. Let any of those people breathing fire against mqm state in the same breath that karachi should have a strong metropolitan givernment with police and transport under its control like all cities of its size. Let the mayor be directly elected and let the lb elections be under the army. Karachi issues are more due to bad governance than ethnic or sectarian issues. This is where the national establishment and the non karachiites are at fault for bringing karachi to this state. With such a local government system, mqm would have either reformed itself long time back or would have been wiped out. Unfortunately, like many of the mqm bashers here, the establishment is also ethnically driven. This keeps prividing mqm its lifeline, and not for wrong.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” (Mark Twain) pls ponder upon the above qoute of your fellow country man, i am so glad i do not belong to MQM abusers
I feel sorry for MQM supporters. Altaf should honor his own words and decisions.
Like the world Pakistani also dont like you. You are not our leader.
@Aysha You can distort history as much as you can. It is clear that you are diehard MQM supporters. Abul Kalam Azad may be a scholarly person in his personal capacity but he had his own political motives. Very similar to Farooq Abdullah governor in Kashmir has an agenda. Historically; Azad remained a close confidante, supporter and advisor to prime minister Nehru, and played an important role in framing national policies. People knew about Nehru's mentality.
It is awkward to highlight grieviances of your forefathers and punish the Karachites. Criminals are criminals. There is no justification of violence in Karachi and this hatred of yours is deterimental to communities only living in Karachi no where else.
ET is advised to close comments on this news. Enough is enough for his lovers and haters.
RTBLOGS1987
@Ali Tanoli: They love him in India? Making stupp up as usual? Until I started easing Pakistani newspapers, I had not even heard his name.
Its really like Altaf Bhai.
@Aysha M Are you sure you are comparing MQM leader with the grand ayatollah LOL Ha ha Ha ha!!!!!!
It's already over 20 years.... You are really in your own world.
@Aysha M: You are blinded by your faith in him and it is your choice and belief but the world knows other wise, how could you deny and close your eyes the violence that has been going on in Karachi since the inception of MQM. How could you or your leaders justify the mayhem created on May12.2007, these are things which convince the rest of the nation that this party called MQM is responsible for all the murders, blackmailing and heavy handedness, it may not be true wholly, but Mr.Hussain and the likes of him has bad reputation in the rest of the country. By the way Pakistan is not Iran and Altaf is not a religious leader like Khomeini. Can't you see that 90% of the above comments are mocking the great leader of MQM. What does that tell you.
Altaf bhai last speech was amazing too when he blame Britain for jalliawala bagh and partition and himself a leader of third world but living in capital world which he blames for all the evils doing and land lords of Sindh hence he sid with them and eat in assemblies what a twisted personilty he got???
The end is nigh..
I credit Britain 's finest brewed Whiskey making us live with the good news lasting three hours as we knew it could never be true we are not a lucky nation...for at least few hours we could imagine what would be life in Karachi once it was free. After resigning he stayed on the phone ... committee members know to live they must beg him to stay...Who needs Turkish Soap Opera when we have bhai entertainment free 24 hours a day if you have access to any news network. It is about time people of Karachi to rise up and try to free themselves from the clutches of this monster so this city and its occupants can achieve their true potential and lead Pakistan because Karachi is brain of Pakistan if Lahore is at its heart. Now that Karachi is sinking no wonder Pakistan is too. Fortune of Karachi directly tied with prospects of Pakistan.
“He added that he will accept the court’s decision in this case.” Because he has no other option it is UK not in Pakistan.
I assure that when you'll be Exit as underworld from party All Pakistani celebrate its day as Yum e Nijjat
@Asad: LOL
What's the maximum punishment for a crime like this in UK if found guilty ?
Shame on People who hate Altaf Hussain, people accept daily on site mudrs by Talibans, Bengali murdrs by Pak Army, dont protest but want to believe a false accusation against Altaf Hussain , thats why daily bomb blasts take place in Pakistan and people enjoy their lives with no remorse.
Another episode Of Topi Drama. but remember its Scotland Yard not Karachi police where u hold like a underworld and blackmailing to Government.
Alfaf Bahi, its UK not Pakistan, where you always playing blackmailing with Government. Be a brave and face. No response given UK about your protect. Ever u defend Scotland yard now what happen with u. Tit for Tat.
@Ali Tanoli: Thank you so much for proving Abl Kalam Azad right, this is what he had predicted
I wonder how boring would be pakistan's political theatre without Altaf Bhai and Sheikh Rashid. Already we are missing best comedian of 2008 - 2013 - Rehman Malik !
I wonder if rabta committee will announce peaceful strike in London tomorrow
just go back to india they love u and get seat in bjp.
The sooner the better this organization dissolves!
Is British PM's visit in anyway connected to this?
@ fudge
Come on man! you are getting entertained. Just laugh and move on. Don't you see there are SOLDIERS of Altaf Bhai comparing a thug of a city to a leader of a nation. In the words of Khalil Jibran you can only:
Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful. Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose "philosopher" is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking.
May God help us!
P.S: My emphasis is on the word "philosopher" .... The Fikri Nishist of Altaf Bhai!!
he is the leader in the eyes of Pakistanis??????
i am just thinking, will altaf bhai be calling for strike in london too because of scotland yard's investigation into imran farooq's murder !!!!!!!
@Fudge: My apologies, I was responding to the comment below, hope you find it relevant
Such Bolta Hoon
Karachi deserves better.
How can someone from middle-class own a house in Edgeware, London without even going to work.
True and sincere leaders live in their own country and face difficult sutuations. History of Mandela is in front of us.
WAKE UP KARACHI…….
@1947: Only if they allowed him to leave. Lol
Chickened out, within a few hours! Altaf Bhai, kanjoosi kargai
@Ammar: hahahahahah
This man knows how to remain in news like Veena Malik.
Altaf bhai should well and truely retire now. It's getting difficult to justify all his flip flops.
@Fudge: My apologies, I was responding to this comment, is that ok, or still irrelevant
@ Such Bolta Hoon Karachi deserves better.
How can someone from middle-class own a house in Edgeware, London without even going to work.
True and sincere leaders live in their own country and face difficult sutuations. History of Mandela is in front of us.
WAKE UP KARACHI…….
dramay bazz of the year
I request Iltaf Bhai to come back to Karachi ASAP for his "Safety' since he getting "unsafe" in "UK.
What was the need to spoil the closed holiday of the people by calling them from their homes, if he had to take back his decision as usual.
Altaf Bhai's resignation was cheap theatrics, not unlike his crying scene after the Imran Farooq murder. Altaf wanted to impress the visiting David Cameron with pictures of his devoted followers begging him to stay as their leader. ("I may not be the Qaid in London but I am the Qaid in Karachi," he said after he withdrew his resignation.) The Pakistani media fell for his tricks yet again but Scotland Yard is highly unlikely to be impressed. Altaf better pack his toothbrush for a very long trip away from home.
Topi drama
I think when Altaf will die he will wake up from death and will say I cancelled dying ;)
Drama repeated nth time and idiots fooled nth time!
too good the crime happened in UK. In Paksitan, even a small criminal gets away easily as the institutions supposed to uphold rule of law (Police, Agencies and Courts) r all part of this entangled web of corruption... Scotland yard is working tirelessly to solve the case, but here in Pakistan, our Agencies have held up two main suspects since two years and done nothing to establish justice... So typical of the justice system here...
@Ayesha M Relevent comments please. Nobody really cares about your dreams here. What has this comment to do with the current situation anyway?! Clueless what to say!
Altaf is the Afridi equivalent in politics - too much of a loose cannon and too much drama... But at least Afridi's resignation from the Cricket team is good for a few days usually :D
aaaaahahahahahaha !!! My Goodness, Altaf Hussain may not be the best politician (for sure he isn't),but he is the best comedian among all the politicians.Whenever there is some news regarding him its worth laughing.
History is replete with leaders faced with difficult and different situations.
Ayatollah Khomeini made a triumphant return to Iran after 14 years in exile
Karachites will hopefully witness the homecoming of their leader in a similar way as the streets of Tehran did in 1979, it would be a great day to wake up to, for karachi and its people
Altaf Hussain reportedly taken back his resignation as expected.
@Aysha M: HahaHa.. Dream on.
And the CIRCUS continues.............................
And I hadnt even opened my champagne bottle.....the party has to be called off!
This drama which Altaf bhai started early this morning, getting his workers to ensure that street power is seen by 1000 am, where they would be screaming take it back take it back, has been accomplished.
This was a veil warning to the British Government as well as to Karachities, that if any action is taken against him, his people will be unleashed to ensure maximum damage to life and property.
We need to get rid of alll MAFIAs in Karachi to bring peace.
Ur not my LEADER!!!!
He resigned 28th time and repeat same drama agian and agian, i have sympathy with his workers, who r forced to behave like him.
@Aysha M: It should rather be "U-turns one"
And we have 4th?(I have lost the count actually) U-Turn on quitting MQM leadership! Keep up the good turn!
The chain of events shows that Scotlandyard Police raids Altaf Bhai's house in London. Then the UK PM David Cameron flies to Pakistan and makes one-on-one meeting with President Zardari and then within a few hours, Altaf Bhai resigns from MQM's Chairmanship he has been holding in exile for 21 years. Then David Cameron meets Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif and finally Altaf Bhai takes his resignation back. It seems the case is moving in Circle!
"LONDON:Chief of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain,who had resigned as party head early Sunday morning, took back his resignation on request of his party workers, Express News reported." Altaf Hussain has proven this phrase true,id est,always old habit goes hard and behind it he will give only illogical statements based on hypocrisy,falsehood,fabricated and embellishment....
Watch my words.... what i said 2 hours ago.. :)
Altaf Hussain: "Just kidding! :p"
There are Hundreds of murder cases against Altaf Hussein in Pakistan but he never felt any danger and only one case in UK he is so frightened. Difference is Justice system we need to have same rule of law for all citizens.
The rehearsel was done and the decision has been reverted. This is the power of people of Pakistan which made him to remain the party chief.
i agree with nadeem above. the whole thing looked like a topi drama, an staged show.
you cant stand for your own decision and you call yourself a leader.
Bhai...its time...
Altaf takes back his resignation. Had the British PM visit to Pakistan, anything to do with it. What advice did Zardari give him. Indeed this is black day for Pakistan. Titanic movie should be renamed - Comedy of Errors.
This is called toppy drama, resign at morning take back by afternoon at the request of crying thousand of MQM rented workers
Drama!
After Altaf, MQM is likely to splinter.
People will not let him do that and every thing will back to normal in few days. As per ideology behind MQM he cannot resign from his post.
Titanic of Muslim Ummah sinking - was he referring to himself ? Is this the Downfall of the MQM Empire, New Action/Thriller/Suspense or maybe just a comedy movie to be released soon all over Pakistan. Keep your fingers crossed guys.
Wish every Sunday started with such great news
CHOOHAY - BILLI ka khel hai Same tactics like entrering the governemnt and then resignation and then into to the government. Actions of MQM are not trust worthy
Long Lives The Queen!!!
It looks like his goose is cooked by Scotland Yard. If there is infighting in the party, then the ball game is over. Salams
.. strike... I want to call strike on our beloved Quai's resignation... lol
This is actually good for MQM as they are in desparate need of a leader from within amd who can lead them in real time. The party will now prosper maybe
It's all a topi drama.
.... "bakray ke maa kab tak khair manaye gi", noose around Altaf Bhai is further tightened on account of a murder case in London. Who will do justice to the thousands of innocent men, women & children killed on the streets of Karachi & Hyderabad?? Still we are happy that justice prevails at least somewhere on the earth.
After the change in Pakistani Govt. UK has to arrest him otherwise Pakistan could have caused alot of embarassment for Scotland yard by identifying the Killers of Dr. Imran.
shame on the people who supports him
If he realy resigns, it will be high time for MQM to revive itself by giving up violence
At least British police have reached their main target in regard of Imran Farooq's murder.... Very well done British police. Now by resigning from party's presidency Altaf Hussain has clear standpoint/stance to not to come back to Pakistan by showing this pretense that he is under British police's investigation..
Those who think or wish that Altaf Hussain stick to his decision are either naive or ignorant of Altaf's past. He will revert his decision in few hours.
Bhai jan forgot he wasn't in Karachi but in London. Scotland Yard is NOT Karachi police.
So he has now threatened Great Britian. He is a Drama, and this theater needs to be closed.
MQM will be refined,,or completely destroyed after this...
the biased Pakistani media is still reluctant to show the over all story and so as pakistani journalists but thanks GOD that all this happened in UK. Mr altaf now you will have to face the music not only in UK but in karachi as well.
Good decision and it is in long term interest of the party and the people who are supporting them. The only thing is that, Altaf Hussain, as other party leaders in Pakistan. Have not created 2nd in command. So the big question is, who is going to lead the party. There will be infighting in the party.
I am just happy right now!!
New Scotland Yard Zindabad
No U-turn this time please.
The information on raiding of Altaf Bhais residence was known to everyone including my village Parwari,why Pakistani media would not touch this story, that needs some analysis. Has the so called free media in Pakustan succumbed to fear and pressure of unseen fascism or there is always Hikmat in self censorship. Media was also reluctant to disclose name of Mr Iftikhar Hussain and his relationship with Altaf Bhai,quite amazing. Dr Imran Farooq was the only dissenting voice in the party,others normsly behave as Zombies...could our enlightened scolars throw some light on this .
"He added that he will accept the court’s decision in this case." Does he have any choice? He is in U K not in Pakistan.
Never ending soap!
Yay! Hope MQM puts on a better interface.
This is good news. Party wise MQM is not bad but Altaf as a leader really damaged its reputation his recent antics lost MQM too many voters and created hatred for it in other parts of Pakistan. Hopefully this time they get a leader who is in Pakistan and capable of leading.
It's only matter of time that he resumes charge of the party because party workers will insist on that.. Same old story.
now you have to face the international court and you will pay what you have done to karachi
He'll be back, I promise.
Repercussions! Would love to see the response of the very vocal MQM spokesperson here. Glorify this, too!
Now I can see a progressive positive party under serious leadership!
Oh Wow...its around 10 am, good morning ET. This news has been everywhere and you just pasted on your pages (DAWN had it around 745 am).
He has announced this decision many times in past too, so is it rehearsel or the geniune one?
Altaf Hussain soldiers on
So this the reason that Altaf changed all to gather his Rabita Committee before resigning ?? and what about china cutting and all corruption that MQM Goons did???
Titanic is about to fall !!!
I am personally sooooo happy about this news!
This is a great day for every Karachi-wala. Karachi will again be great soon, inshAllah!
Lets make this day a national holiday... "Yaum - i - Nijaat"
another Drama by MQM
He could have given the party leadership to 'one' person but he chose to give it to the rabita committee so that he can take it back. Sharp!
Voluntary? After no lifeline was thrown to him despite linking his own titanic like fate with the whole ummah- what choice was he left with?
For how long??? Few hours or may be even less that that. ....
Good !.Now stick to the decision
Beginning of the end to this tense drama which we have witnessed for last few months...Altaf will be arrested soon.
Scotland Yard's noose was tightening so Bhaijan took advantage of the night.
Is he serious? I think its just a drama
Writing is on the wall. But what a shame, what a shame...Dr. Imran's murder is just one case what & how many others are there that will never be known :-(
Stunt #4,516 by Altaf bhai .... here we go again
Thank God...please stick to your decision like a MAN...