MQM rally in Karachi shows support to party chief Altaf Hussain

E-Paper | March 09, 2026

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday held a massive rally in Karachi to show solidarity with party chief Altaf Hussain during which MQM leaders said that it was unjust that Mr Hussain's accounts were frozen despite of his cooperation in the money laundering and other matters in Britain, DawnNews reported.

Senior Leader of the party, Farooq Sattar, delivering his speech in English near Tibet Centre in Karachi, requested British Prime Minister David Cameron to take notice of what he called were unlawful and blatant violations of human rights against MQM chief Altaf Hussain and his colleagues in London

He also questioned as to why had the accounts been seized without any proof, trial or charge being framed against Mr Hussain.

Sattar further said that Altaf Hussain was being harassed by the British administration and warned of moving British courts and holding protests at 10 Downing Street against the behavior of British government.

Members of National Assembly, Sindh's provincial assembly and Senators belonging to the MQM and the party's office bears addressed the rally which was attended by a large number of activists and supporters.

The attendees also included a number of women and children.

Speaking on the occasion, MQM Deputy Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the British government should answer the question raised by Farooq Sattar.

He said that Altaf Hussain was victimised for speaking truth but said that he would not stop telling truth to the people and continue to do this.

MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi demanded of the government to stop extra-judicial killings of MQM activists and said that one more activist was extra-judicially killed on Sunday.

He demanded immediate release of the missing activists and said that the party was playing a crucial role in stabilizing the country.

Nabil Gabol, another leader belonging to the MQM, alleged that people of Karachi were victimised for supporting MQM leader Altaf Hussain.

He said that major development projects were launched in Punjab while Karachiites have to face 14-hour load-shedding and water shortage,

Gabol added that government should initiate metro bus service and projects to overcome water crisis in the city.

He said that majority of the taxes were collected from Karachi and if these facilities would not be given to the city then they would be forced to stop paying taxes to the government which would create problems for the authorities in Islamabad.

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ayaz

May 25, 2014 08:56pm

I don't understand one thing, that why sane MQM followers are protesting in Pakistan instead of UK, as they want to show solidarity with their leader. GOP did not freeze his assets but its UK government. They should protest infront of No.10.

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Ahmer

May 25, 2014 09:06pm

Who is instigating UK to harass Altaf Bhai? Is UK preparing pretexts to expel him from that country? Where else can he go?

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Harmony

May 25, 2014 09:43pm

They don

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Ayesha

May 25, 2014 10:10pm

Thank you British government, we have no words to express our gratitude. Keep it up.

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Fiz

May 25, 2014 10:47pm

Cry for help. Altaf bhai is calling upon his support base in Pakistan to help him from the clutches of Scotland Yard. Don't listen to him, let him face the music. What is this, whenever he is in trouble he runs out of the country whether its from Pakistan or Britain.

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Adil Farooq

May 25, 2014 11:05pm

Its interesting to see how little coverage there is in the Pakistani media of what is happening to him in the UK. No investigative journalism here.

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May 25, 2014 11:07pm

Our very own Modi.

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Qamar Naqvi

May 25, 2014 11:10pm

The multi million dollar question arises why UK government is not investigating Nawaz Sharif and his sons money laundering? Don't they know that Nawaz Sharif owns billions of dollars properties in the UK?

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May 25, 2014 11:23pm

Why is that the main page of The Dawn showing only MQM jalsa. Is it intentionally ignoring PTI rally?

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dr imran

May 25, 2014 11:24pm

@Ayesha share the same feeling

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Fareed (usa)

May 25, 2014 11:27pm

MQM & Altaf Hussain's cronies should realize that British police of London is not like police of Karachi which can be pressurized. Scotland Yard & Metropolitan Police of London , seems are tightening noose around supremo Altaf Hussain. It is not only the laundered money but the murder of Dr. Imran Farooq which is being investigated. Altaf Bahi better come out with credible explanation of laundered money stashed in his office & in his house, these routine demonstrations by MQM workers can't coerce the Police of London and Scotland Yard . Investigation will continue until supremo is innocent beyond the shadow of doubt.

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Jaffer N

May 25, 2014 11:35pm

"He also questioned as to why had the accounts been seized without any proof, trial or charge being framed against Mr Hussain" Patience Farooq Sattar , patience- supremo will be charged. Someone better explain thousands of British Pounds stashed in Altaf Bhai's office & in his house. It was n't pocket change. it was laundered money in thousands pounds.

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M Rafique

May 25, 2014 11:59pm

Atleast MQM leadership have accepted certain investigations are being carried by UK govt, which they were continuously denying in the past. None of the leadership speak about the source, how this huge money are accumulated. U K govt will not stop their protest over there but Altaf Bhai has to go through the investigation either clearing or convicting him.

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Joker

May 26, 2014 12:03am

@Harmony Wake up and smell the coffee! When it comes to government and politics, justice is hardly served whether it is UK or Pakistan.

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Youth

May 26, 2014 12:20am

The massive support Altaf Hussain has in Pakistan won't help him in UK, MQM should hold protests at 10 Downing Street & move the British court for justice. Altaf Hussain should also approach human right group to pressure UK government.

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Ahsan

May 26, 2014 12:54am

I don't understand why so much hate and biased showed against mqm and it's leadership by the comments here? Regardless of altaf hussain accounts and his issues currently , he is innocent until proven guilty in any court of law. MQM should go to courts against British government and the banks and sue them for harassment

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Shahzad

May 26, 2014 01:19am

What is the amount & Where did the money comes from?

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Syed

May 26, 2014 01:55am

@Ahmer yes there is a lobby from Mars but dont tell anyone. Its a big conspiracy against u know who

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Mohammed A. Sukhera (USA)

May 26, 2014 02:21am

@Ahsan . The British Government granted Altaf Hussain refuge when it became clear that his life was in danger due to infighting in the party leadership. An MQM leader was killed few years ago on British soil in London who was nor in good terms with Altaf Hussain. The British Auhorties's investigation of the murder led them to Altaf Hussain. His house was searched by the London police with the court approval and large sum of money was found in the house. Naturally, the British law enforcement authorities became very suspicious when large amount of cash was untraceable to any bank.They froze Altaf Hussain 's accounts until the investigation is complete.The investigation is still continuing but MQM leader failed to answer that why it was not deposited in a bank and what was the source of funds.. The MQM has an option to go to the British Courts to fight off the charges rather than demonstrating rallies i in Karachi. Pakistani Government has nothing to do with the murder and a large amount of cash in the house.Altaf Hussain has to come clean and explain the cash found in the house and he is only one who knows the source of funds and its intended use.

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MJK

May 26, 2014 02:51am

His last hide out - Pakistan. Over 20 years Brits tolerated him, they won't any more.. All that he did can't be washed away by holding habitual protests & demonstrations. Does n't any tell him, " We had enough of it" ?

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Muhammad

May 26, 2014 02:59am

@Ahsan. If he is innocent, He should be patient and follow the same process you and I will have to follow if caught with thousands of pounds in cash. Why ask party members to start protests in Karachi! Is there a problem with him?

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Akil Akhtar

May 26, 2014 04:30am

@Qamar Naqvi Owning properties is not a crime but money laundering is....

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AKN

May 26, 2014 06:56am

Do they ever get tired of these demonstrations ? May be from every household they take turn. How do they wake up next day & go to their jobs ? Is there no one who can say," I had enough, I am not going to show up" ?

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jami

May 26, 2014 07:26am

What about the assets of Benazir, Zardari, Nawazsharif in England, Are they transferred all money legally to UK from Poor Pakistan? Altaf bank account as they said is from MQM worker's donation which are collected on volunteer basis. He is himself not earning from any business, factory, or Steel foundry mill. England govt not inquiring about Zardari Millions in UK? Interesting and funny

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Syed Obaid Alam

May 26, 2014 07:33am

Another day, countless man hours, resources wasted and life disrupted in Karachi. Why, because a British citizen is been investigated for money laundering in UK. Please all concerned go to UK and disrupt life there. Nor the Gov. of Pakistan and neither the common man, even MQM supporters are interested in wasting their time on one individuals problems. Everyone needs to demonstrate the source of funds they hold, more so over public representatives. If they were obtained by donation, even then one needs to produce proper receipts and accounts justifying the source. The question is whether the UK Police is doing anything that is not in their mandate ?, are banks required to block suspicious transaction accounts ?, did anyone say that the they have proof of where the funds came from and what were the amounts?. What proceeding are taking place against who in UK ?

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Muhammad

May 26, 2014 09:01am

@jami. It is not about corruption of Pakistani leaders. It is not about Altaf bhai sahib's Bank accounts. In westren countries if you have a lot of cash you just have to explain the source. Apparent bhai jan is having trouble explaining how he got all that money in thousands of pounds in cold hard cash. If I or you are found with that kind of money it will be confiscated unless a plausible explanation is provided which is acceptable to English police.

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M Rafique

May 26, 2014 09:29am

@jami Very innonce Altaf Bhai is living lavish life for the 22 years with the workers donations and also accumulated huge amount in cash

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khanm

May 26, 2014 04:42pm

You can do anything in Pakistan as long as you have the passion, the drive, the focus, and above all the support of the masses even if is right or wrong. Majority of the followers of most political parties blindly follow their party rulers. One should not supposed to be so blind with party politics that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.

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