Farooq Sattar. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM /EXPRESS
Former deputy convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Sattar reiterated that Altaf Hussain has no source of income, since the party chief has devoted himself to public service. He cannot confirm about any other property owned by Hussain, Sattar added.
In the interview with Shahzeb Khanzada, Sattar said the MQM has been cooperating with the British police to arrest the culprits behind Dr Imran Farooq’s murder in the UK.
The black sheep that have been pinpointed during the course of investigations must be arrested even if they are from within the MQM. The party will never have an objection to such a move, Sattar went on to say.
Sattar said his party’s chief is innocent.
British police took away Hussain’s computer, money and other things from his house in London but have not issued any receipt for the items confiscated, lamented Sattar.
The MQM MNA also spoke about his party’s good relations with the media, saying that the party had no animosity with any anchorperson. The MQM had learnt that anchorperson Jasmine Manzoor wanted to lambast the party in a bid to boost ratings, Sattar said, adding that it was unfair to the party.
The former minister went on to invite Manzoor to discuss if she had any issues in particular with the party’s functioning, urging that anti-MQM propaganda must not be aired in the media since negative perceptions about Karachi’s largest party will push the party to the wall, politically.
COMMENTS (74)
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@Luciferous: "Lookat at Europe’s history before WWII. How many “world leaders” went to Nazi Berlin just before it launched invasion of Europe!"
I am sure you are trying to draw analogy here between Nazis and Talibans (where the latter are being offered negotiations and visits by our world-class leaders of PML-N, JI and PTI). But be careful this analogy may offend Nazis :)
@Aysha M: "All political parties go to 90, so they all acknowledge MQM as a political entity so hold your horses and give reason a chance...
Lookat at Europe's history before WWII. How many "world leaders" went to Nazi Berlin just before it launched invasion of Europe!
@Aysha M: Actions speak louder than the words. Someone has to call spade a spade. Let's have a dialogue.
MQM is no political party. It has all the characterstics of an armed foreign invader. It is holding Urdu language and Urdu speakers hostage at gun point. It has proven time and again that it does not belong at ballot box since it’s action and words are bullet based. It needes to be spoken to in only language it understands. No Mr nice nice, soft paddling. Ordinary Urdu speaking folks need help of state to be rescued.
@Luciferous: Not sure if any of the above should be dignified with a response All political parties go to 90, so they all acknowledge MQM as a political entity so hold your horses and give reason a chance
MQM is no political party. It has all the characterstics of an armed foreign invader. It is holding Urdu language and Urdu speakers hostage at gun point. It has proven time and again that it does not belong at ballot box since it's action and words are bullet based. It needes to be spoken to in only language it understands. No Mr nice nice, soft paddling. Ordinary Urdu speaking folks need help of state to be rescued.
@Aysha M MQM had been in the government for more than a decade why didn't they do anything about the quota system?
@Excuse me: You know what Excuse me, I dont even know how I am. Just one example, we have a quota system for over 40 years, the likes of which was never introduced to any other provincial capital Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, this sense of deprivation and alienation has caused serious confusion
Why does it have to be about Karachi only? We all belong to Pakistan and we all are Pakistanis for heaven's sake! The ones who are just proud to be a Karachiite, like it or not "YOU DON'T BELONG TO PAKISTAN!"
FYI: I am a Karachiite and I don't support insanity = MQM...
"The MQM MNA also spoke about his party’s good relations with the media,"
Wali Khan Babar and his family would testify to that!
@mrs ahmed so, socalled civilized educated karachiete deserve what they getting it.....
@Ali Tanoli: so
@mrs ahmed: @Aysha M thoughts are her thought so why is she generalizing for everybody?! Agreed her comments are interesting/informative but mostly entertaining ( ;) ), but generalizing for everybody is just wrong and offensive. Please stay rational on this forum. Her thoughts will be taken seriously by people if she stops generalizing for everybody.
Please avoid statements to the tune of "every Karachiite is a supporter of MQM by default". If you still don't get it then there is no point telling you.
@mrs ahmed: @Aysha M thoughts are her thought so why is she generalizing for everybody?! Agreed her comments are interesting/informative but mostly entertaining ( ;) ), but generalizing for everybody is just wrong and offensive. Please stay rational on this forum. Her thoughts will be taken seriously by people if she stops generalizing for everybody.
Please avoid statements to the tune of "every Karachiite is a supporter of MQM by default". If you still don't get it then there is no point telling you.
I hope Ayesha m never visited 90 during eighties......
@Ahmed: Regrettable that my comments were found offensive, Brother Ahmed, I didnt mean to offend anybody, I just see no other party fighting for Karachi, so to me anybody fighting for Karachi deserves support of all Karachites. Not sure if suggesting a person to be a cult follower could be considered offensive
@Ahmed: pls let ET carry on relative fo once less bias attitude to MQM, it is very judgemental to to inflict words like offensive to anbody`s thoughts , well her comments are very endearing enlightening imformative to many also thought provoking , well read , why do you want to deny people a good piece of writing
@Anon: Excellent post. @Aysha M could only comment on Mustafa's Kamal's reference (which we all agree with actually!). No answers on other excellent points raised.
Dear @Aysha, Do you have anything to say about the points raised by @Anon? Also please note, we all live in a democratic country, there is no option of "default" and certainly no room for cult following, the kind our Jihadi brothers are often guilty of. Hope you get the message and tone down from next time. Thanks.
I think all these debates are endless and fruit less...koz as Pakistani people have practice in religion that they will stick with the religion of their ancestors, similarly , no one can change/ convince any one in politics.So just pray for having better leader and better Pakistan and above all pray for ourselves that May ALLAh keep us alive as muslim and take us as Muslim.
@Anon: Well said Anon
@Aysha M: "All true Karachites, born, rasied and to be buried in Karachi are by default an MQM supporter"
Will you please stop your offensive statements? What gives you the right to generalize/judge and force your opinions on others? Not everybody is an MQM supporter, will you ever get it? Sounds more extremist, the very school of thought your Quaid is against! I just hope you read the responses to your comment.
I am a true Karachiite, born, raised and likely to be buried in Karachi and I am NOT an MQM supporter! This is democracy. You can take your cult following elsewhere, please. Moderator needs to censor these increasingly offensive statements by @Aysha M.
@mrs ahmed: Further to add in your point, that now PPP has also passed the bill of changing Chancelorship from Governor to CM(CM who is unable to move without having BHANG and its true believe me). Where as in all three provinces , Chancelor is still governor. It simply reveals the mental level of PPP and their racism against MQM
@JRR: Alsalamoalaikum..very true . Crime is a crime and must be punished irrespective of Party, religion, cast etc.....
@ Karachiites....HUH Please speak for yourself only. Please do not hide your short comings behind the excuse of discrimination. Also I don't think this case has anything to do with educated urbanized classes of a province. If a crime has been commited, the culprit should be punished irrespective of his religion / identity.
@Pakistani first: u are right who am i to judge , it feels the same when name calling allegations has no ends against MQM and us who claim to be true karachiite . U are free to call urself true karachiite , ur actions will support ur claim , come on speak against qouta system in jobs and admission , lowest grant to KU in ratio to its size , and rest step motherly attitude to karachi for long
@Anon: before 1992 , when he was no even thirty he did not aspire political office and made others members of national and provential assemblies all party members , none of is relative ever got any govt position , nor himself can u find this example in an other party . Number of times it is explained by party that he is reber he is quaid , who remains head and for official reason all MQM members and leaders and suporters are happy with Farooq Sattar what is the problem , why cant u all see Altaaf Hussain does not have chotey mian saheb , hamza sehbaz and marriam nawaz , thts what endears hm to MQM people
@Uza Syed: Thanks I am just an MQM enthusiast and my comments are no more than my 2-cents for my home city. I am born and raised in Karachi, not sure but hopeful to be buried in Karachi. My city desires and deserves much better than this we in Karachi generate 93% revenue for Sindh and 63% for Pakistan and yet treated like a colony. Have mercy on Karachi If PTI does not support MQM on local government It would be a litmus test of how sincere they are with Karachi and its people
Feels good.... MQM in dock.....accountability in media......attempts to establish credibility by loyalists..... The volteface of loyalists remain to be seen in case of Altaf Hussain's dethronement....:)
Alsalamoalaikum @ Anon...Just a correction, that Altaf Hussain never ever competed any election, even when he was in Karachi..so it seeems a leader gesture.sorry if hurt any one.
@Anon: I truly appreciate your fairness and sense of judgement for acknowledging Mustafa Kamal's efforts which was completely unprecedented in any public representative in Pakitsan. Most appreciated. People blinded by hate and prejudice have gone on to the extent of criticizing even Mustafa Kamal.
Altaf Hussain left for UK in 1992, he could have contested elections but he chose not to
@Pakistani first.
Your nick shows and says enough to counter most arguments from the MQM lovers.
MQM lovers including me keep talking in view of karachi...you have shown better judgment just simply by using the nick Pakistani first. We need more Pakistani lovers then Karachi lovers.
@Aysha M: Very good analysis. However you forgot to add:
creation of namaloun afrad; Batta khouri; Failure to give security to the citizens of Karachi despite being part of the government for 5 years; Target killing; And the list goes on@mrs ahmed: Who are you to judge who is true blood karachite or not. Please speak for yourself. MQM does not represent Karachi.... Period....
@Aysha M: Power to your words, more power to your resolve and even more power to your intelligence and courage to stand up straight and be counted and speak the truth without any fear or favour. Aysha, I admire you for your dedication and support, with people like you in its cadre neither MQM nor its leadership, especially the Quaid of the people, have any reason to ever worry about. A political party is as strong and as vibrant as the people who support it and who vote for it and stay loyal to it when in power and even when not in power. You know what, Aysha, your sincere and well-informed enthusiasm is contagious! You are what any political worker ought to be, sincere, hardworking and enthusiastic and the whole of MQM must be proud of you. All those who support MQM must be as active and as courageous as you Aysha. Stay the course, your party must be proud of you. More power to you!
@ Ayesha M Altaf Hussain cannot by LAW contest election because he is a UK citizen. If you read up (again) you will find that MQM is registered to Farooq Satar, not Altaf Hussain, he is no where in the party official registration. He cannot be, because he is a UK citizen. Simple, so he cannot contest in elections. Are you saying MNA & MPAs of all other party are rich kings and all hold fake degrees!? Are you sure MQM is completely clean in terms of fake degrees? Zero tolerence for currpotion, ummm, your party members openly change altaf hussains words in order to make up for his mistakes....does this not count as curroption, what about the BHATA they collect from businesses? No difference of ethnicity, i think it was YOU, an MQM supporter who just mentioned anyone not supporting MQM is not a karachiite, is this not discrimination based on thought? Deweaponise!? LOL!? But yes, i will admit that Mustafa Kamal did a lot and i do support him for what he did, and no one can deny it.
But again, MQM/Altaf Hussain, using my sound mind. NO.
@Aysha M: Very good analysis
@Aysha M: brilliant , i am a die hard MQM supporter , u have listed the reasons which all MQM bashers would find very difficult to refute. Also it is nt about karachi alone MQM is worried , with mustafa success every big city should have engaged him as a consultant for the betterment of people at the lowest level. Karachi is the voter and all over the world forst priority is given to the vfoters , what is wrong with that Lets take example of Ahmdi najad and Tayyab Erdogan ,firstly they were elected mayors of Tehran and Istanbul , later graduated to be elected as head of their respective states. While being mayors their main effort and concern for their cities later as teir position required for the whole country. Only if our poor country was not suffering from worst kind of ethnic malice and prejudice Mustafa would have become leader at all Pakistan level. But alas we we remain to regret that his dynamism and honesty was lost and our nation could not wreap the harvest of this wonderful person and politician
@Zara: Such a negative mindset, stay ready for a disappointment when there is a smooth transition, if need be
@Mustafa: Please give a fair reading to the following, I am just an MQM enthusiast like any other Karachite. When their electoral mandate got translated into administrative mandate they turned Karachi into its best possible version of itself, there was relative peace and prosperity in the city
1.party leader never contested elections or aspired to hold a public office, so truly a genuine leader (needless to say leads a humble ordinary man’s life, can often be seen in TESCO T shirts instead of Versace suits, adorned by some (e.g former PM Gilani) 2.no dynastic politics 3.no relatives given party tickets (instead brother and nephew martyred) 3.no attempt made to fill personal coffers 4.MNAs and MPAs, educated and intelligent people none of them with fake degrees 5.MNAs and MPAs do not become rich over night, some even live in rented houses 6.zero tolerance for corruption or nepotism in MQM 7.MNAs and MPAs stay in touch with people of their constituency and constituents 8.MQM promotes ethnic and religious harmony (e.g. MPA Reza’s and his bodyguards funeral prayers led by sunni and shia clerics and all followed in their immat, unprecedented event in tainted history of religious discord between shia and sunni in Karachi) 9.Raising voice for the oppressed (e.g. openly condemning persecution of shias and Ahmedis) 10.Produced shadow budget for the first time ever in the legislative history of Pakistan 11.Land reforms bill and de-weaponization bill 12.Mustafa Kamal phenomenon/model, Pakistan had never seen such enthusiasm and dynamism in a public representative ever before 13.Distribution of support in disaster area in the length and breadth of Pakistan regardless of ethnicity and religious belonging and above everything presenting a model to Pakistani politics that middle and lower middle class people can make it to parliament houses, which were largely meant for fuedals, wadras and industrialists
i won't reply to anyone specifically .......everyone has the right to their opinion but lemme tell you one thing people of karachi and urban areas of sindh love MQM and above all Altaf Hussain.....people of karachi pays 70% of taxes to our country and in return they get 1979 local government system and discrimination from every department in pakistan............Altaf Hussain raised his voice over these issues and that is why people love him.............and for the violence part not a single case has been proven by our respected courts and I and people of educated, modernized, civilized urban sindh trust our judiciary and will support MQM till the times of judgement day........ and people of punjab can support nawaz sharif rural sindh PPP and KPK imran khan or wali and balochistan (actually they don't have a leader yet) "DID WE EVER COMPLAIN"
@Aysha M: SO if you dont support MQM you are not a true Karachiite. I was born and raised here and likely will be buried here and no i do not support MQM. have deliberately gone out to vote in three elections for the one most likely to beat them.
@ Ayesha M you sound like farooq sattar. and about fighting for powerful city government, MQM only wants power in the city so that they can continue with their looting and extortion. If they had cared about the people, Karachi would not have been the hub of terror in Pakistan. and I am speaking of my research and experience. and to be clear I do not support any political party in Pakistan since no one is actually working for the betterment of the state.
So now Aysha M and mrs ahmed will decide who a 'karachiite' is.
The audacity of a party that got only 2.5 million votes after WHOLESALE rigging. What a joke.
I am a Karachiite and I will never support the MQM.
Looking forward to a grand dangal between mr Farroq and Mr Ishrat ul ibad for party leadership...any guesses guys???
Farooq Sattar ...u beauty!!! I am looking forward to ur stance and statements 6 months after Altaf Bhai is done and dusted....:)
@Ayesha M So you would rather transfer and send that money to UK to your LEADER then let that money stay within country and give it to the hungry and needy living without food, job or shelter. Good thinking. Also, does country's balance of payment ring a bell? Everytime money is transferred outside the coutnry, it affects our currency.
And as for normal life style, living in UK is not a luxury? People in UK live in appartments, because a HOUSE is considered a luxury...please get your facts straight before arguing. If you look closely your SIMPLE leader is living in a pretty BIG house by UK standards, and let me assure you, it does not come cheap. And as for the money, instead of donating money to someone in the UK availing basic facilities, next time, please direct money to your neighbours living WITHOUT basic facilites like FOOD, WATER, ELECTRICITY, MEDICINE and a ROOF over their heads.
And sure, if i support someone else i am not a TRUE karachiite. Soon if i dont support MQM i wont be a true PAKISTANI. Yet MQM and its people talk about supporting all factions and creeds. Kind of Ironic.
@Abbas: Dear Brother Abbas, I think we should respect all leaders, not because we have any appreciation of them as individuals but for the simple reason that they enjoy love and respect of millions, so please refrain from using derogatory language for Altaf Hussain, Thanks
@Fighter: Nobody ever listens to me, I keep pleading so once again; please play ball and not people,
@Ayesha M: missed u, thank God u r back
such powerful statement, such conviction of innocence ,such love and warmth by one person for another, they say love is blind, such love befitting romeo and juliet and I am left speechless! I fear for this guys state of mind , should altaf "choha" be found guilty of the alleged crimes. Reminds me of the song, stand by your man........
@Anon: Pls dont talk about the source of income of Altaf Hussain. People who have not been a beneficiary of an altruistic leadership such as Altaf Hussain cannot understand the love and reverence people have for him. He doesnt need to have a source of income when his people are willing and more than happy to provide for him. His people are not attracted by Rolex watches and Armani suits. Also, please remember, it is just a comfortable lifestyle nothing luxurious
Altaf Hussain is advocating the literate middle class and poor sector of society. The MQM's expansions leads to urbanisation of this Country and in order to develop Pakistan as a proper developed country ALtaf Hussain and MQM is imperative. What PPP, PML(N), jamat-eeIslami or PTI has given to Pakistan. ONly dreams and empty slogans. But MQM has turned dreams in to reality and develop Karachi as a proper city that bring karachi as a twin city to Houston (USA) and inshallah the day is not far when MQM will be ruling the Pakistan.
@Aysha M:
Please migrate to Antarctica
Upto date NO political party has been for the people.......every political party is comprised of individuals who once in office work for themselves. The MQM was SLIGHTLY better because it did some work for Karachi ............ so we say something is better than nothing.
@ghoshi MQM encourages and supports conclusive and transparent investigation of all cases, may it be in Pakistan or UK. MQM was absolved in Hakim Saeed, Major Kalim and Salahuddin of Takbeer magazine cases and of course the great Jinnahpur case. MQM will come out all clean once again to the utter disappointment of the forces of status quo
@Ayesha M
Firstly, why talk about Karachi only, what about PAKISTAN? Or are we 'KARACHIITES' with MQM support above all of Pakistan? Second, system of democracy is based on choice, and in choice, there is no such thing as DEFAULT, so please check again, support for other parties exists even in karachi...parties other then MQM...and they were all born, raised & probably will be burried in it as well.
@Ayesha: MQM has been ruling Karachi for so long and has made a complete chaos of the city and more and more people are willing to leave Karachi. I am a Karachiiite and I don't support MQM nor does the large majority of educated class.
@Karachiites: Ideology?? Does any political party or leader aware of this word? I doubt very much. But yes, in case of MQM, they have it. To kill, land grabbing, Bhatta, etc.......
@Anon: that means u are not a true blood karahiite
All, please wait i am going through nirvaan ( meditation). Wait for my comment!
@Anon: A true Karachite would be the one who supports those who are fighting for a powerful city government, which is no other party but MQM. All true Karachites, born, rasied and to be buried in Karachi are by default an MQM supporter
"..MQM chief has only one property with proper documentation..", and he has few others WITHOUT documentation.
"Sattar said his party’s chief is innocent", he is innocent like a little baby, he doesn't even know what a 'bori' means.
MQM like always , very clear and objective , it is tte only party which believes in continuous ,on going self assessment and i needed suspension and excluion is carried . It was wonderful candid interview by Dr, Farooq Sattar , his words of honesty has renewed my faith in MQM Jiay Muttahida.I would suggest t5o shazeb to bring Jasmeen on TVand also remind her when her cameras were consfiscated at the raiwind. Why cant people understand that all the allegation against MQM after a times falls onits face.
Let the law and investigations take their course. Please do not confuse the issues any further.
@Karachiite.
Please explain how can an educated hardworking individual support a leader with no apparant 'Source of Income' (as mentioned above) living in the UK which is at least 5 times as expensive as Pakistan. It does not add up, how is he able to live outside without any money?
If it is not just that...speeches made by Altaf Hussain only repulse the educated minds, not attract them, only reducing the support for the party.
@Karachitites
I am sorry, I am a karachiite...but i am definiately not with MQM or Altaf Hussain...please speak for yourself and not others.
@Karachiites:
Quaid never wanted Pakistan to become a morturay for bori bnd lashain
MQM encourages and supports conclusive and transparent investigation of all cases, may it be in Pakistan or UK. MQM was absolved in Hakim Saeed, Major Kalim and Salahuddin of Takbeer magazine cases and of course the great Jinnahpur case. MQM will come out all clean once again to the utter disappointment of the forces of status quo
Thanks for narrating a nice tale. Had it been related to PMLN, PPP or PTI, "unbiased" commentary from ET would have been available.