Altaf Hussain's posters removed from Nine Zero, adjoining areas

E-Paper | July 12, 2026

KARACHI: Posters and banners bearing the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain's image and the party's flags were taken down at the party's Nine Zero headquarters and various neighbourhoods of Karachi on Thursday, as well as in parts of Hyderabad and Sukkur.

Posters torn down from Karachi's Mukka Chowk. ─DawnNews screengrab

MQM headquarters Nine Zero is Altaf's Karachi home and was sealed earlier this week.

The party's flags, posters and banners were removed from Jinnah Ground, Azizabad, Latifabad 6, 7 and 8 and Mukka Chowk in Karachi.

MQM banners and posters were also removed in Hyderabad's Latifabad as well as well as parts of Sukkur.

There has been no response from the MQM on the development yet.

Sindh Rangers on Monday night initiated action against MQM for allegedly inciting violence in the metropolis. The paramilitary forces raided party headquarters Nine Zero, took senior party leaders into custody and sealed MQM offices there.

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Sharique - Munich

Aug 25, 2016 05:12pm

Looks like a big game. I am sure MQM took down posters themselves. MQM supporters cannot forget Altaf Hussain in 1 day!

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Arabian Sea

Aug 25, 2016 05:13pm

The more you rub them, the bigger they get. A simple fact lost on our agencies.

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Smart Solution

Aug 25, 2016 05:15pm

That is very good. A british citizen living in britain, should do his politicking in Britain. About time that he stop causing problems for Pakistani public. Registration of any political party that is registered in the name of a foreign citizen must be cancelled immediately.

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Jamal Khawer

Aug 25, 2016 05:21pm

@Arabian Sea - What Big Game????

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mano

Aug 25, 2016 05:24pm

@Arabian Sea And a simple fact lost on you is that MQM's leader has spoken against the state and incited violence. We have to deal with iron hands this time.

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Nabeell

Aug 25, 2016 05:24pm

@Smart Solution MQM in Pakistan is registered in name of Farooq Sattar.

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ajr

Aug 25, 2016 05:29pm

bad move, reminds me the 'launch' of Haqiqi in 90s

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 05:40pm

Nothing will change . Muhajirs are united under MQM and regardless of AH mistakes he definitely stand as the indisputable leader who has given his life for the welfare and unity of his nation !

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Mudassir Hussain Azeemabadi

Aug 25, 2016 05:41pm

Altaf Hussain has not been feeling well since last many years as suggested from his speeches. But He remains the founder of MQM, the MQM which has been a nuisance for many other Political & Non Political Power Houses of Pakistan. A lot has been done in last 2-3 days. Lets not go beyond and undo.

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Harmony-1©

Aug 25, 2016 05:43pm

No poster of any politician should be hung up. No one is worth it. This 'personality cult' needs to stop. It's not 90s anymore!

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 05:43pm

@Smart Solution You are very misinformed . MQM is registered under Farooq Sattar name !

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Iqta

Aug 25, 2016 05:46pm

Allegedly? It's a fact!

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Tariq Mahmood

Aug 25, 2016 05:47pm

@Arabian Sea How rude!! 'More you rub it the bigger it gets'. Some people have no shame!

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Yaser Arafat

Aug 25, 2016 05:51pm

@Khan USA and in this life he spent more than 24 years out of 30 outside Pakistan, faraway from his supporters and workers! In fact worker, supporters and non-supporters give their lives for his luxury!

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 05:51pm

These are just results of frustration by anti MQM elements and nothing will change . Altaf despite his mistakes will be the leader as long as masses support him . Only people have the right to accept and reject anyone . It is not the job of governments and agencies to decide . Federal government has failed to bring any case against AH and I dont see anything happening soon !

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Aug 25, 2016 05:55pm

We cannot afford to bring sense of deprivation among masses. We cannot ridicule sentiments of the masses, their grievances and their just demands. MQM has 85 percent genuine mandate of Urban Sindh whether someone likes it or not. We need to move on and bring them in to the national stream. Release their elected mayor, give MQM their due share in the local government. Let them perform. This party has the highest number of educated middle class individuals. MQM has the potential to out perform all other political parties. It is for the betterment and prosperity of Pakistan which is our ultimate goal.

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 06:06pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Yes , Pakistan was made for everyone and not just for rich and feudals . The consecutive governments in the past and present have failed to protect the common man and sense of ignorance and deprivation prevail among the helpless and powerless masses . The people in rural areas are helpless even to raise their voice but the people in urban areas are raising their voices against these injustices . therefore MQM is opposed from the day one ! All educated and enlightened understand this !

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TUQ

Aug 25, 2016 06:14pm

The posters of personalities are not required in the first place... Let this good practice prevail in the whole country. (No posters and statues). Make it more blessed without faces please ....

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M Jamal

Aug 25, 2016 06:16pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan You are always to the point.

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 06:20pm

Regardless how you feel about AH , MQM still holds support and loyalty of the people of Urban Sindh !

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Taimoor Khan

Aug 25, 2016 06:37pm

Just like Saddam Hussain's statues and posters were removed from Iraq and now part of history, Altaf Hussian presence in karachi city though his posters needs to be removed for good.

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Abdulla Hussain

Aug 25, 2016 06:40pm

Remove this Mukka from this chowk and rename it as Edhi chowk.

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Abdulla Hussain

Aug 25, 2016 06:41pm

All posters & banners containing AH message & photos should be discarded at once.

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moeazze

Aug 25, 2016 06:54pm

well done. That is step 1 to reformation of this party

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Abid Ali

Aug 25, 2016 07:01pm

new Name should be Pakistan Chowk.

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kamran

Aug 25, 2016 07:16pm

The best advice I sought while reading MQM critics comments. On all major roads of Urban Sindh, setting up Medical Camps to change hearts of Peoples found with loved of Altaf.

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Rahat, kkarachi

Aug 25, 2016 07:34pm

MQM, Altaf Hussain, Karachi & Muhajir movement is inseparable from each other.

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Merchant

Aug 25, 2016 07:40pm

Good and solid move towards restoring peace in Karachi. Much appreciated.

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Sarfaraz, karachi

Aug 25, 2016 07:42pm

It is a request to all not to write AH instead of Altaf Hussain. Altaf bhai has sacrificed lot for the betterment of Karachi &its people.

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Moeed

Aug 25, 2016 07:57pm

MQM is a registered political party & should be given all its rights to serve its people in Karachi. Muhajir movement is the pillar of MQM & Altaf Hussain is the soul of karachi.

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SadFaces

Aug 25, 2016 08:03pm

They should remove all political flags and posters including PML, PTI, and PPP.

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Harmony-1©

Aug 25, 2016 08:06pm

@Sarfaraz, Karachi - 'AH' has lost all respect and credibility after his treacherous diatribe!

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 08:07pm

@Sarfaraz, karachi Not to disrespect but to keep in a low profile bro !

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Aug 25, 2016 08:10pm

@M Jamal Thanks for your kind comments. I appreciate it

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Lafanga

Aug 25, 2016 08:14pm

@Khan USA How can one be a muhajir after 7 decades and how long will MQM keep pulling the muhajir boogieman in front of everyone? Get over it as we are sick and tired of this. Far more people who migrated from India are settled in Pakistan and have nothing to do with MQM and are proud Pakistanis.

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Aug 25, 2016 08:13pm

@mano what about Lal masjid cleric? Do you think action against him should be taken?

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Changez_Khan

Aug 25, 2016 08:17pm

Good step and if anyone objects put him behind bars.

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Ghazala, Srinagar

Aug 25, 2016 08:21pm

Altaf Hussain is apopular leader & have mass followers both inside & outside Pakistan.

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Aapka Dost Indian

Aug 25, 2016 08:25pm

This is trying to finish MQM and split it. Around 2-3 months ago somehow a party was formed people who came back to country after many years and suddenly shown that they formed party after breaking away from MQM. Now nobody is talking about them. Same is happening again. All this will make MQM and Altaf strong.

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Alba

Aug 25, 2016 08:36pm

The fact is Altaf Hussain may not live that much longer. His health risks are evident. MQM Pakistan is preparing for his exit one way or another.

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Jamal

Aug 25, 2016 08:37pm

@Khan USA -- Pakistan is a NATION...Not Muhajir. There is NO Muhajir in Pakistan any more. Partition happened 70 years ago. When shall you wake up?

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Khanm

Aug 25, 2016 08:40pm

Removing the posters will not help, winning the hearts and minds of the masses will..remember creating hopelessness, sense of insecurity, deprivation will lead to anarchy..

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 08:51pm

@Jamal You can not be a Muhajir and thats ok with you . You can not force people accept what you think right or wrong . FYI there are many nationalities within Pakistani nationality ! Either we are Muslim as a nation or we are Pakistani with different nationalities !

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ukz

Aug 25, 2016 08:53pm

I'm not sure what's happening. Is this the same Karachi which shuts itself down on even a single event such as this? But now everything is going smooth. This nullifies MQM claims that karachittes do it on their own. This shows MQM took Karachi hostage for years.

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 08:54pm

@Aapka Dost Indian Can not be our frirnd . Stay out of our issues and fix your broken India first . This is my issue with my brothers and strangers have no role in it !

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 08:56pm

@Harmony-1© Since when ?

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Khan USA

Aug 25, 2016 08:58pm

As long as the sense of deprivation and alienation prevail among Muhajirs , people will look towards AH ! Remove these issues and we will be ok .

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kalhoro

Aug 25, 2016 09:07pm

It seems people were looking for someone to rescue them from madness

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SAEED MASOOD

Aug 25, 2016 09:40pm

This is just a game to avoid a ban on MQM , these guys should be taken to court for traitorship cases...article 62...any leniency will be a betrayal of law...

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Javed

Aug 25, 2016 09:42pm

Seventy long years ago people moved to Pakistan from all corners of India, then how can they claim a single identity separate from the rest of their countrymen.

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Sohail Khan Wazir

Aug 25, 2016 10:16pm

No mercy will be shown for anti Pakistan movement.

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Big Brother

Aug 25, 2016 10:34pm

@Abdulla Hussain Get a life brother. This is the gesture "Mukka" of the one of our founder of this country. This is not AH Mukka. I love MQM and I fine with not worshipping any face but rather working towards the objective. But AH place will always be there.

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Javed

Aug 25, 2016 11:19pm

Someone on this forum said; how can a leader who gets millions of votes, lie. Has not each and every leader who got millions of votes lied to us?

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syed haider

Aug 25, 2016 11:25pm

he lives in our heart we want our rights

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Ahsan Gul

Aug 25, 2016 11:29pm

Demolish Mukka Choke and free the land or convert to something else.

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Khan USA

Aug 26, 2016 12:13am

@Javed The country is itself divided among Punjabib, Sindhi , Pathan , Saraiki , Baluchi and Kashmiris ! Where is Pakistani !

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tinker bell

Aug 26, 2016 12:29am

I find it unthinkable that after all that was said and done MQM hasn't been banned. These people are a threat to Pakistan

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aso_sindh

Aug 26, 2016 12:43am

They are not mohajirs any more. They are Pakistani now. They live in Pakistan they are Pakistani. Their forefathers migrated that doesnt make sense that their decendants will remain mohajir. Therefore they should obey all rules and regulations of Pakistan.

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The end is near

Aug 26, 2016 12:50am

No Altaf, No Problems.

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Jalal

Aug 26, 2016 12:53am

Good

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anony

Aug 26, 2016 12:53am

Excellent work Sindh Rangers.

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Stanley

Aug 26, 2016 02:12am

My sources tells me that Pervaiz Musharaf will be back in the country soon, and MQM will rebirth again, no one can deprive the Mohajirs of their rights in Karachi, Hyderabad.

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Karachi

Aug 26, 2016 02:18am

It is so interesting to see all non Muhajirs advising Muhajirs what is good for them. Whom they should choose as their leader... FYI …Muhajirs are the most educated and liberal ethnic group in living in Pakistan. We know what are our options, and why in 80s we were forced to choose MQM as an option.

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Adnan

Aug 26, 2016 04:00am

@Moeed yes offcourse any one has got 51% support is always right in democracy. People decide not Punjab

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nasr

Aug 26, 2016 05:20am

@Sharique - Munich They have to forget him for the sake of this City. Have you been there/ It is fast turning into a slum.

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nasr

Aug 26, 2016 05:23am

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan MQM has mandate for Altaf. We want the mandate for this KARACHI CITY

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nasr

Aug 26, 2016 05:32am

@Khan USA The vast majority of the Mohajirs are educated why they have not yet been able to achieve through MQM in spite of the fact they have ruled the Sindh urban areas for 3 decades that is more than a Quarter Century. Look at the city how disorganized and in shamble it has become. The irony is their own party voters are blind as they just follow AH, their brother who has gone from rag to riches living in exile.

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Ahsan Gul

Aug 26, 2016 05:33am

@Ghazala, Srinagar - technically he is not a leader of any Pakistani since he is a UK citizen. His followers in Pakistan must be investigated as foreign elements. You can tell how stupid his followers are that he is enjoying a lavish life style on their donations. Has he ever worked overseas? Is he the only brain behind MQM and no one else can lead? Sometime people wonder what kind of followers we have in Pakistan who give their loyalty to their leaders knowingly that they are self serving and using them. Sincerely

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Khan USA

Aug 26, 2016 06:37am

Let people decide who is their leader !

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Khan USA

Aug 26, 2016 08:09am

@nasr Let people decide who is their leader . Regardless of whatsoever Altaf Hussein has said , his services and sacrifices are countless and no other leader since Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had any such power over his people except Altaf Hussein . I am very upset about what Altaf Hussein has said about Pakistan but at the sametime I could not undermine or deny his love , sacrifices and vision and mission for his people !

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asifa batool

Aug 26, 2016 08:15am

MQM is going well without altaf hussain...MQm will forget altaf someday or oneday...

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Khan USA

Aug 26, 2016 08:28am

@asifa batool There is no MQM without AH !

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Khan USA

Aug 26, 2016 08:32am

MQM is like Phoenix ! Everytime you torture and try to destroy it , it will rise again with more strength and determination !

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