MQM chief asks PM to step down

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should step down and hand over the premiership to any other leader of his party in order to pull the country out of the political crisis.

In a statement issued by the MQM here on Saturday, Mr Hussain expressed concern over internal issues being faced by the country and asked political leaders to address their differences through dialogue.

He said that political parties must avoid any adventurism which may cause loss of human life or financial damage.

The MQM chief asked the prime minister to study the emerging situation with full attention. If there was a threat to the safety of people and national economy because of the protests and sit-ins, the prime minister should show courage and step down, he added.

“He (Nawaz Sharif) may transfer these powers to any leader of his party or find any other constitutional way to keep everyone’s dignity intact,” he added.

Published in Dawn, Aug 3rd, 2014

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

In NA, PM Shehbaz affirms govt commitment to provinces' development

US-Iran peace deal inches closer as PM Shehbaz says finalisation expected within a day

21 terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBOs in last 72 hours: ISPR

waqar jan

Aug 03, 2014 07:08am

Is it only me or it has become a trend that every politician wants a piece of IK's efforts n struggle, though they have done nothing. Typical Pakistani politics, when you C someone rising - join them so u can get a piece of cake. But inn sha Allah IK will succeed with or without these useless politicians. Because they don't count .

Recommend 0

Karachi Wala

Aug 03, 2014 07:19am

Good suggestion. Let's make it all heads of all the political parties should step down.

Recommend 0

Raja

Aug 03, 2014 07:35am

Oh no! he popped up again.

Recommend 0

Shahpur

Aug 03, 2014 07:41am

Nawaz Shariff should hand over the powers to Armed Forces, and avoid further crisis. This time Army make sure that Justice is done.

Recommend 0

NHM

Aug 03, 2014 07:46am

As the saying goes"Its easy to fight for one's principles than to live up to them" and for the last seven years, on every itch you had , you declared a revolution against Waderism, Zardarna Nizams etc.etc. So ,whose side are you on now?

Recommend 0

syedz

Aug 03, 2014 07:47am

The government has come in power through undemocratic means. It should be stepped down. Mid term election is the solution to defuse the crisis. Interim setup should be made through consensus.

Recommend 0

Syed (Australia)

Aug 03, 2014 07:59am

Senseless statment corrupt supporting the corrupt. Enough is enough lets the nation decide not the leaders this time, we have been seeing this for the last 35 years of civiilian rule.

Recommend 0

Humaid

Aug 03, 2014 08:05am

No Altaf as a Prime Minister you do not resign when facing tough situation. You do not run away from it. The Prime Minister should show leadership and resolve issues with dialogue. The Prime Minister will just do that..

Recommend 0

Ali Pakistani

Aug 03, 2014 08:11am

Altaf Hussain's suggestion is an excellent solution.

Recommend 0

Syed (Australia)

Aug 03, 2014 08:26am

@Ali Pakistani, then what will happen after PM's step down another crook will take over.

Recommend 0

Uxman Masood

Aug 03, 2014 08:31am

I agree with altaf bhai

Recommend 0

Khurram

Aug 03, 2014 08:34am

After this statement, I'm pretty sure that establishment doesn't want NS to continue ...

Recommend 0

Awan

Aug 03, 2014 08:56am

I have a question. Why all of them were silent during the worst PPP regime and were chanting slogans of Democracy that time?. Even Imran Khan did not threaten the democracy during the tenure of PPP and Dictatorial Musharraf regime. Where i see the bias of all parties against PMLN?. Why Suddenly everyone came to realize that Pakistan needs so called revolution? So in the future anyone who will threaten to bring 2-3 hundred thousand people towards Islamabad will be able to topple this government?. I held the Opposition parties of Pakistan including PTI fully responsible for failing this democratic system. They want to solve the problems on the streets rather than in the parliament and that is an undemocratic practice and nothing else.

Recommend 0

Sammy

Aug 03, 2014 09:11am

@Humaid yeh call the army in!!!

Recommend 0

Sammy

Aug 03, 2014 09:11am

@Ali Pakistani always is in your eyes!

Recommend 0

Saeed Shah

Aug 03, 2014 09:34am

Why should Nawaz Sharif resign? He elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. If any one has problem, they should go to Election Commission and courts. That is democracy. Anything else in anarchy.

Recommend 0

waheed saddal

Aug 03, 2014 09:48am

nawaz sharif should make difference between PPP regime and his regime. why PPP loose the election. black mail of MQM. Black Mailing Of PML Q. Where is deputy of prime Minister designation now.

Recommend 0

Zia

Aug 03, 2014 10:02am

@Awan it seems like that you were not following the news over the course of last few months or you don't want to know the truth. All the routes including Parliament , Supreme Court , Election commission/tribunal etc were tried by PTI but to no avail. PTI had been saying for almost year plus that if their issues would not be resolved, they will come to the streets as their last resort to get justice. Now after waiting & giving more then a year time frame, and got no response from PML(N) government, they have decided to protest. Any democracies of the World will allow this! This is completely legitimate way of getting ones demands heard and get response. I hope that you will agree and respond without any biasness. Thank you!

Recommend 0

Sailay

Aug 03, 2014 10:21am

Yes. Make Altaf Hussain the next Prime Minister so that he can run the country from London.

Recommend 0

Ashraf Mirza (USA)

Aug 03, 2014 11:28am

Altaf Hussain don't know nothing about Great PM Mr. Nawaz sharif. He is sitting in London UK, even took UK citizenship. Altaf Hussain have no right to get involve in Pakistan's Politics. People of Pakistan are very fortunate to have PM like Mr. Nawaz Sharif . As we all know Mr. Nawaz Sharif is doing great job for people of Pakistan, and for the country May Allah bless Pakistan and people of Pakistan. (Aameen) Ashraf Mirza (USA) ashwmirza@yahoo.com

Recommend 0

Lucky Star

Aug 03, 2014 11:55am

First Altaf Hussian needs to resign from MQM leadership, because he is being investigated by the London police for money laundering.

Recommend 0

spacefoss

Aug 03, 2014 12:21pm

@Sailay Hey what's wrong with a little long distance relationship :-) haha

Recommend 0

Capt C M Khan

Aug 03, 2014 12:31pm

Nawaz must not resign. Let this time wasting March go ahead. Nothing will happen. If there will be mid term election Nawaz and PPP will form another government. Corruption is strongly embedded that there is one thing for sure, there will be NO CHANGE. Imran will never become the PM.

Recommend 0

JackDomm

Aug 03, 2014 12:33pm

I second Altaf Hussain suggestion.

Recommend 0

Amin Syed

Aug 03, 2014 12:35pm

When will you step down Altaf Hussain? I'm not infavour of Mr Nawaz Sharif neither MQM but honestly, your party needs change much more than PMLN! but you will never go because of 'Pur zoor israr of workers'

Recommend 0

Amin Syed

Aug 03, 2014 12:35pm

@Raja you made my day! Hillarious! i'm still laughing:)

Recommend 0

Amin Syed

Aug 03, 2014 12:39pm

@Sailay True! run the country from London and on the telephone! :)

Recommend 0

Masoud

Aug 03, 2014 01:06pm

@Shahpur By invoking article 245 of the constitution, power of Islamabad already handed to the army. The leaders have shown that they are incapability of running the country. In a way they have revoked democracy.

Recommend 0

Awan

Aug 03, 2014 01:14pm

@Zia All The so called Revolutionaries have destroyed Middle east on the name of Democracy and so called Revolution. Now the same story will be repeated here in Pakistan as well. The same tone was established before the Destabilization of Syria and Iraq and it is being repeated in Pakistan as well. This is the first step to drag Pakistan towards Civil War like Situatation.

Recommend 0

Safdar

Aug 03, 2014 02:03pm

Dont take him seriously... "Bhai" often say things that he actually don't mean to say...lol

Recommend 0

ghuman

Aug 03, 2014 02:04pm

@Lucky Star hey lucky star where are you.have not been bashing imran, are you also scared like your prime minister.

Recommend 0

Haider Rehman

Aug 03, 2014 02:15pm

"He (Nawaz Sharif) may transfer these powers to any leader of his party or find any other constitutional way..." So, is transferring powers to 'any leader of his party' constitutional?

Recommend 0

Rakaposhi

Aug 03, 2014 02:20pm

@Awan Why? Because PML-N was the main and only opposition then and I didn't provide leader it needs to question government. Now PTI is in parliament and it is providing leadership. Contrary to what you say, even today all other parties are fine with status quo including PPP.

Recommend 0

MIR TARIQ YAKUB

Aug 03, 2014 02:30pm

You claim to be a democratic person, a party leader, telling a democratic elected P.M. to step down. This reflects you are not democratic. mirtariq@yahoo.com

Recommend 0

owais

Aug 03, 2014 02:33pm

@Awan True

Recommend 0

Mr.T

Aug 03, 2014 03:45pm

Man this is The best advice for Nazaw, byt unfortunately he will not accept it, or any other advice due to atifaq foundry sarya...

Recommend 0

Aussie

Aug 03, 2014 04:25pm

@Saeed Shah which election commission, don't try to be devil's advocate.

Recommend 0

gerry d'cunha

Aug 03, 2014 06:17pm

civilian govt has always been a failure in pakistan sine the first democratic govt of za bhutto - military govt is the best solution for pakistan to survive

Recommend 0

MAlvi

Aug 03, 2014 06:37pm

I never liked this man, Altaf Hussain, but here he is making some sensible statement - Nawaz should step down. Nawaz should hand over the government to army. The army will appoint Musharraf as administrator, and every thing will be working well again.

Recommend 0

Daanish

Aug 03, 2014 07:24pm

Lets set an example and Mr.Hussain you step down first and live happily thereafter in the land of Masters.

Recommend 0

MQM exposed

Aug 05, 2014 04:11pm

This criminal tyrant has the nerve to make this suggestion, must be from GHQ Rawalpindi

Recommend 0

MQM exposed

Aug 05, 2014 04:12pm

@Uxman Masood You mean Evil Altaf, if he is your brother what does it make you?

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.