MQM warns of Karachi lockdown if Altaf not issued NICOP, passport
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KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) warned on Monday to lockdown the port city if the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and passport were not issued to party Chief Altaf Hussain, DawnNews reported.
MQM’s Rabita (coordination) Committee, in an official statement issued here, condemned the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for using delay tactics in the issuance of NICOP to Altaf Hussain.
The statement said the party and its workers would stage a countrywide protest if the NICOP was not issued to the MQM chief, who is living in a self-imposed exile in London for over 20 years.
The committee termed the denial of card to Hussain by the authorities as “unconstitutional and unjustified in light of the fundamental rights guaranteed.”
Senator Tahir Mashhadi of MQM also warned of closing down Karachi for a year if the government failed to issue passport and identity card to Altaf Hussain.
The party has demanded that the president, prime minister and federal interior minister should take notice of the matter and take action against those creating hurdles in issuance of relevant documents to the MQM leader.
Altaf expresses concerns over officials’ statements
In a statement issued from London, the MQM chief said that statements of the additional interior secretary and the DG passports in the Senate have caused him shock and distress.
The officials asserted that the ministry of interior had not received any application for passport or identity card in a meeting of Senate’s committee on interior held earlier today.
“I would like to tell high officials of Interior ministry and federal government that I had applied for a Pakistani passport on April 4 in the presence of members of Rabita Committee, MQM’s office bearers and workers,” said Hussain.
“I was told by the passport officials at the embassy that I would have to get a NICOP for this purpose. I went to Nadra office with Pakistan’s Ambassador Wajid Shamsul Hasan, MQM’s office bearers and other supporters.”
The MQM chief said that Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan can confirm this Ambassador Hasan. He also said that he has receipt and tracking id.
Hussain said that despite fulfilling all the requirements of Nadra, he had not received his NICOP card yet.
“How can I apply for a passport when I don’t have the NICOP card,” he said.
The MQM chief urged the government and the concerned department to stop their discriminatory attitude towards him.
“Otherwise, my millions of supporters across the globe can stage protest over this injustice and biased attitude,” he warned in the statement.
“Interior Ministry and its officials should not try to make the matter worse. They must show sagacity and investigate into the matter and try to find out the people who have displayed strong bias against a popular leader of the million people. What are their motives and why are they putting loyal Pakistanis in distress?”
“If I am not Pakistani then no one can claim that he is a Pakistani,” said the MQM chief.
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On DawnNews
Comments (80) Closed
May 13, 2014 02:15am
Please issue him a passport so he can go to Pakistan, to face charges against him.
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May 13, 2014 02:16am
Did he actually get rejected or is he complaining he isn't getting his NICOP card quickly enough? My childrens' cards took three months. He's waited only five weeks. Why doesn't he discreetly inquire about his status like the rest of us? I support the liberal social policies of mqm despite being Pashtun. I do not support him trying to "cut in line."
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May 13, 2014 02:35am
Why does he need a NICOP? Is his time in England is nearing an end? Having said that, he cannot be denied a NICOP as he is a Pakistani citizen by birth.
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May 13, 2014 02:36am
If Altaf makes the silly decision to come back, then it's his decision. To
come back to this hellhole of a country. He may not be able to leave.
Just like Musharraf's idiotic decision, against all good advice. [which he regrets
to no end now]. Musharraf probably tears his hair when he is alone, in his room.
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May 13, 2014 02:38am
Here is a true Pakistani - a patriotic! He will "lock down" Karachi, disrupt the lives of millions of people, hurt the economy, put through hardships, all those who rely on day-to-day wages - just because or in case, if he is not issued NICOP! He is himself living in London and issuing threats in Pakistan. It absolutely breaks my heart to see these irresponsible, insensitive, heartless, shameless bullies get to run the parties, that end up governing us. They have no empathy for the ordinary people and they want to be our leaders to protect our rights? They are strictly for themselves and would not hesitate compromising on what is good for the country, if it helps them meet their selfish objectives. God - how I wish Pakistan got a lucky break and get someone who truly holds the country's interest as their top priority, to finally come and run it. It's high time and we all deserve nothing less!
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May 13, 2014 02:38am
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May 13, 2014 02:39am
Another thought - how about revoking his Pakistani citizenship! Finish it, once and for all!
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May 13, 2014 02:40am
One may disagree with his political opinions, but Altaf Hussain Sahib must be issued a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistani (NICOP) immediately . As a British-Pakistani It is his fundamental right to be in possession of a NICOP.
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May 13, 2014 03:06am
Ya Allah Keep him out of Pakistans soil.
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May 13, 2014 03:12am
Let the showdown begin. W
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May 13, 2014 03:38am
Altaf and his MQM should join Tahir ul Qadri & PTI to bring revolution in Pakistan.
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May 13, 2014 04:07am
Every overseas Pakistani knows that when they apply for NICOP at consulate or Embassy abroad, it takes 2 to 3 months to get the NICOP. Why people like Altaf with big egos want preferential treatment- just makes me sick. Him and his party are threatening to shut down Karachi - what a black mail. Legal proceedings must be initiated against Altaf and the MQM people who are openly threatening the State. This threat shows that for personal ego, these people are willing to disrupt life, create law & order situation and damage the economy of Pakistan. These people cannot be friends and well wishes of Pakistan
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May 13, 2014 04:22am
What is bigger - Pakistan or Altaf Husain! The answer is obvious, though MQM thinks otherwise.
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May 13, 2014 04:32am
Is he really brave enough to come to Pakistan ?
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May 13, 2014 04:44am
This is his fundamental right which nobody can deny.
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May 13, 2014 05:30am
why are they stopping him from coming. I believe very same people were taunting that he is living in London and does not to come to Pakistan. What now? Note: i m neither a party member nor a supporter of his party or politics but this question has come to my mind so I am asking.
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May 13, 2014 05:45am
Altaf Hussain does not need passport to come to Pakistan. His NICOP is enough identity if he really wants to come to Pakistan. There is no need to hold Pakistani passport if you are dual citizen with NICOP,
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May 13, 2014 05:53am
Sir altaf u have British passport , why u need paki passport?keep on enjoying the British hospitality
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May 13, 2014 06:35am
Mr. Alraf Hussain was a citizen of Pakistan. He migrated to England. He sought and gained British nationality. He is a British citizen. By distancing himself from Pakistan and not applying for issue of NIC, he impliedly renounced the citizenship of Pakistan. He is well advised to first apply for acquiring the citizenship of Pakistan. MQM should learn to follow laws of Pakistan rather than hurling threats of disrupting social life.
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May 13, 2014 06:51am
Pakistan citizens do not need a passport to enter Pakistan. Even an old id card will do.
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May 13, 2014 06:54am
You went to UK on a Pakistani passport. Why didn't you renew it every time it was expired? All those years, when you didn't have Pakistani passport, you were a British. You never wanted to come, and now you think you can. So you want to become Pakistani again. Incredible. :)
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May 13, 2014 07:18am
When karachi Would get free from these constant thhreats? Nonsense Question As we never observed anything good and posative since lost 66 years.
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May 13, 2014 07:31am
The same people who gave permission to Imran Khan for the rally and then blocked off the roads are the ones holding back the passport. Honestly I can see why MQM feels so neglected. Everyone abuses and ignores them until they start threatening and blackmailing. Our leadership has consistently acted like a 12 year old bully
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May 13, 2014 07:47am
If Altaf Bhai is not a Pakistani then there is no Pakistani. He is a true Muhajir and Muhajirs sacrificed millions of lives. Long live Altaf Bhai.
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May 13, 2014 08:00am
Strikes and / or shut downs even for a day hurts millions of poor and so the warning needs to be taken back.
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May 13, 2014 08:03am
Threats... Blackmail... Close down of Karachi for one person who had probably renounced his Pakistani citizenship. When will we ever grow out of this?
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May 13, 2014 08:16am
@Babar Khan
This man left pakistan he gave up being a pakistani he is a criminal
and what sacrifice has he made for pakistan please answer this as he hasnt even seen his home country for over 20 years the man is an agent
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May 13, 2014 08:33am
Altaf "Bhai" Serving Karachi with hartaals since 1985......this guy has no intention of ever coming back.
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May 13, 2014 08:39am
........"Senator Tahir Mashhadi of MQM also warned of closing down Karachi for a year if the government failed to issue passport and identity card to Altaf Hussain".
A true representitive of "middle class" aspirations.
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May 13, 2014 09:04am
"Shutting down Karachi", the hub of country's economic activity sounds like a threat to the State. Government should take appropriate legal action against those who are hurling unconstitutional threats. Black mail needs to be always rejected
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May 13, 2014 09:06am
@Babar Khan - Take him home with you..
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May 13, 2014 09:30am
Thanks for your Nice Words
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May 13, 2014 09:48am
It us appalling to read that Karachi will be locked down for a year if Altaf Hussain is not issued NICOP. A person who is in self exile for more than 20 years claims that if he is not a Pakistani then no one else is Pakistani. May I ask why the 180 million people living in Pakistan and bearing all the troubles of daily life maybe termed like this by a person who is living comfortably in UK for more than 20 years?
It is high time the government takes appropriate action against the party who only knows about closing down the city of Karachi and keep giving threats to the people living in Karachi. I feel threatened by these statements and request the authorities to take note of this. The honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan is also requested to take Sou Moto notice of this.
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May 13, 2014 09:56am
Point to Ponder! hmmm.. so this peace loving party, intimates that they can LOCK DOWN KHI... What if ppl again started calling and lodging complaint with UK police against a british citizen issuing threats from UK soil... just wondering!!!
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May 13, 2014 09:59am
Good move by altaf! Knows very well that at any time he could be arrested by uk's MI but if he will come to pak no one can touch him, even not uk thru interpol.. If anyone will dare to touch him in pak, locking down of karachi will happen for infinite times.. Poor chap altaf! Finally u have to come to pak as a compulsion which i believe u never wanted to do so for your own good..
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May 13, 2014 10:16am
@zobia Everyone needs a passport to enter...he just wouldnt need a Pak Passport.
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May 13, 2014 10:26am
April 4 to May 12 ... Come on, thats only 5 weeks. NADRA usually issues NICOPs in 6-8 weeks to overseas Pakistanis, sometimes even longer. When politicians feel the same heat of bureaucracy that public faces everyday, they want to "lock down Karachi".
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May 13, 2014 10:32am
Altaf Bhai claim he is Pakistani then why he returned his passport to obtained British Citizenship.
Looks British govt told him please take your passport back.
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May 13, 2014 10:36am
Muhajirs still fighting for their rights
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May 13, 2014 10:44am
Why now, what happened to his original Pakistan passport and ID card. He only needs a nicop to enter Pakistan.
Let the shut down begin, who needs these threats and who needs a "busdill" who wants to sit abroad and rule. The British have hosted him let him stay there and enjoy their hospitality. With dual nationality he wont be able to do much in Pakistan given the aversion to dual nationals.
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May 13, 2014 11:10am
@Byjan - or join him in u.k?
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May 13, 2014 11:13am
@Zafar MQM does not think Altaf is bigger than Pakistan. Actually MQM thinks and the truth is that Altaf is a Pakistani. And as per Pakistani law every Pakistani has the birth right to an ID card and a Passport. But those who are denying him his birth right, perhaps including yourself, are actually saying Altaf and Pakitsan are two different things.
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May 13, 2014 11:14am
Are they doing anything else except threats?
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May 13, 2014 11:42am
Can people not see how wrong this is. One person is not getting his Passport, and the whole country should suffer. This is terrorism, extremism, extortion, blackmailing and what not in its most subtle form.
His tactics are absolutely unbelievable.
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May 13, 2014 12:07pm
Between Altaf Hussain and Sheikh Rasheed, we have the two of the world's greatest entertainers
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May 13, 2014 12:54pm
Applying for visa on his UK passport would have been simpler
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May 13, 2014 01:05pm
Another drama staged by this Oscar class actor! Does he think the Pakistanis are fools?
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May 13, 2014 01:18pm
Altaf must be issued NICOP to get Pakistan Passport. After getting PP, he should come to Pakistan to clarify his name from cases against him, as he claims to be true Pakistani.
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May 13, 2014 01:41pm
@sabeeh omer
Intelegence of Pakistanis can be guaged by reading a few comments above. Result disappointing at best (I am a Pakistani)!
Most of the people are seeing only one side of the picture.
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May 13, 2014 01:45pm
this country is full of biased haters of muhajir community.
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May 13, 2014 01:48pm
It is about time a resolution be passed in the National Assembly that any organization may it be a political party or religious faction, whoever gives a call a strike or lockout which results in closure of business, transport. Such parties should be banned and their MNA/ MPA/ Senators automatically become disqualified. this is the only solution to save this country from such self centered lunatic politicians.
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May 13, 2014 02:00pm
The government is already over loaded with many irritants & issues. What is the point in creating more. How can & why should the gov't not issue NIC / Passport & other relevant documents to MQM chief Altaf Hussain. By law all overseas Pakistanis with dual nationality are allowed to keep Pakistani passport. Chaudhry Nisar Sahib delay tactics in the issuance of NICOP to Altaf Hussain is an extra burden that will cause national uproar.
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May 13, 2014 02:29pm
@ali He and his ancestors gave you Pakistan. Today you would have been called an Indian
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May 13, 2014 02:31pm
@Nazia Why, are you following the propaganda, you have any evidence against him, is he corrupt, has he got relatives like Nawaz Sharif in politics, has Altaf looted the wealth or hijacked a plane full of passengers.
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May 13, 2014 02:32pm
@Nazia Why, are you following the propaganda, you have any evidence against him, is he corrupt, has he got relatives like Nawaz Sharif in politics, has Altaf looted the wealth or hijacked a plane full of passengers.
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May 13, 2014 02:33pm
@independentthinker if you were an idependent thinker you would provide evidence against Altaf Hussain, Altaf and his ancestors gave you Pakistan, or else you would have been called an Indian.
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May 13, 2014 02:41pm
@Wonderer Talk some sense will you, you have just past a judgement without a trial. The London met will not let Altaf go if he is found guilty? don't be a hater for the sake of being one.
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May 13, 2014 02:42pm
@rhazes If Altaf and his ancestors have created an old Pakistan then they can also create a new one. Haters against him hold no legal ground, no judge in the world would sentence Altaf unless there is evidence of Altaf's wrong doing, prove it or else you are with those who discriminate or hate Altaf for the sake of what you read in the media.
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May 13, 2014 03:06pm
@jake You lost me at Altaf and his ancestor's created Pakistan....
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May 13, 2014 03:44pm
Poor soul Altaf; have no where on earth to live.
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May 13, 2014 04:19pm
He just need NICOP and as Pakistan government should issue him like other Pakistan.
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May 13, 2014 09:19pm
He should banned for life that's it no more mqm Pakistani's should get rid of this murderer
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May 13, 2014 10:19pm
They threaten the nation: Give us passport or else suffer a
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May 14, 2014 01:27pm
@frank YES, most of them are jealous of muhajirs intelligence & educated background. The fact is fact no one can deny it.
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May 14, 2014 03:02pm
If Altaf Bhai is not issued his passport and his NICOP then I and the 20 million Karachiites will go and live in London for 1 year at Bhai's house. Thank you Bhaiya - see you soon!
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May 15, 2014 02:17am
Karachi lockdown because he has not been issued the ID card?. 1000s of people who live on daily wages will not be able to put food on the table because his ID card has been delayed?. Why is he in such a hurry?. The only place you need your NICOP card is at Pakistan airports or at an airline counter when checking-in to fly to Pakistan on a foreign passport. Is he flying to Pakistan?.
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May 15, 2014 11:09am
@Youth Intelligence and Educated background we can see that by looking at your Leader Altaf.
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May 15, 2014 11:34am
I say let him come. Then make sure he never leaves again. Anywhere.
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May 15, 2014 11:47am
@Babar Khan
Yes please take him to your home
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May 15, 2014 12:55pm
@Sayyar Khan We are proud to have ALTAF as our leader.
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May 15, 2014 12:58pm
@sammy You are living in fool's paradise. If he comes then every one will see how many are there.
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May 15, 2014 01:04pm
What if he gets it or not - he would never come back to pak
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May 15, 2014 01:42pm
@Babar Khan
"If Altaf Bhai is not a Pakistani then there is no Pakistani. He is a true Muhajir and Muhajirs sacrificed millions of lives. Long live Altaf Bhai."
Dear, we should all remember that we are all PAKISTANI FIRST then Punjabi, mohajir etc. The lack of this attitude is severely damaging our national sovereignty.
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May 15, 2014 04:54pm
why after 22 years his heart aches to see pakistan. He could have come during Musharaf era. He should better stay out of country
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May 15, 2014 05:00pm
@Youth Each and every person of this country is intelligent hard working and honest have you seen any mohajir digging roads in karachi or doing whatever our soldier do every day when not in a war. every race has some positives and negatives it does not matter
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May 15, 2014 07:04pm
He should be issued a NICOP if he is entitled to one under the law but locking down of Karachi over the issue is uncalled for. He asserts his demand more like a Mafia boss rather than as a citizen and as a responsible political leader. He wants his NICOP and does not care what headaches lock down may cause to the ordinary citizens. It is time that people should look at his record and see what he has done for the city of Karachi in all those years and why he should continue to lead MQM. He is a political artist portraying as a political leader. He has no vision or intellect to make Karachi a better place. His politics revolve around threats, torture, extortions, killings. People need to wake up to his type of leaders.
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May 15, 2014 08:30pm
The MQM looks in a hurry in getting the documents. The bigger question is, why Mr. Altaf Hussain wants to come back at this time? There are news that the MQM is being charged for money laundering and non payment of taxes in UK. Is this has something to do with Altaf Bhai's return?
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May 15, 2014 11:53pm
@jake You seem to have a response to everyone's comments - the only trouble is neither of your responses make any sense. Reread your responses and see if YOU can make any sense out of them!
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May 16, 2014 12:52am
@Babar Khan . You need to grow up and start thinking on your own. Dont follow people blindly. When people start thinking themselves, they will realize that Altaf Hussain is not their solution, but he is the root of problems in Karachi.
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May 17, 2014 04:11pm
MQM always make fuss & daramas of any issue which is right & lawful ,& goes against them they have made up their mind not to accept any reality, there is a procedure for issuing NIDC
& every has to go through proper channel
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