Altaf 'salutes' army as MQM holds rally supporting armed forces

E-Paper | March 05, 2026

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday evening supported the Zarb-i-Azb operation and said that he "salutes" the endeavors of the Pakistan army, DawnNews reported.

The MQM chief was addressing a rally held by his party to show solidarity with the army.

Speaking to participants, including political workers and citizens, via video-link from London, the MQM chief said that the entire nation is behind the army in the Zarb-i-Azb operation in North Waziristan which is weeding out terrorists.

"The terrorists want to enforce their version of the sharia using Klashnikov and swords. To destroy a country, seeds of hatred are sown," he said.

During the speech, Altaf said that the people of Pakistan must show unity during the ongoing operation. He further lauded the sacrifices of soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation.

The MQM chief said that his party wants to establish a society where everyone has equal rights and religious freedom regardless of the faith they followed.

He further stressed that MQM wants a 'real democratic' setup in the country.

All help should be provided to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have had to flee North Waziristan in the aftermath of the operation, he stressed.

Referring to former president General (retd) Pervez Musharaf's case, the said that Article 6 is not just one, but rather it has section A, B and C too. All those who supported Musharraf must be taken to task as well, he said.

Members of other religious and political parties also attended the rally, including representatives from the PML-N, PPP, APML and PML-F.

Veteran politician and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) minister Rubina Qaimkhani also attended the rally and addressed the participants.

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Atta

Jul 06, 2014 07:28pm

Buttering the army again? Smells suspicious

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Idealist

Jul 06, 2014 07:38pm

We salute you Altaaf Bhai , you are awesome :) God bless Pakistan

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Harmony

Jul 06, 2014 07:41pm

They never have anything better to do than cause disruption to people's livelihood.

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Ganga Din

Jul 06, 2014 07:49pm

Off course he salutes the Army. What other choice does he have?

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Karachi Wala

Jul 06, 2014 07:56pm

Altaf Hussain is right when he calls on people of Pakistan to support army operation. He should also back the operation clean up in Karachi.

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zeeshan

Jul 06, 2014 07:57pm

@Ganga Din if he does not then still some people have problem..

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Khan

Jul 06, 2014 08:04pm

The only party which has consistent policy against terrorism and shows its solidarity with armed forces in the time of need rest of the parties are looking other way around

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mohammadnoonnanna

Jul 06, 2014 08:34pm

.salutes for operation in Waziristan and condemnation for operation in Karachi. What is duplicity. He always tries to make political profits by forward and backtrack march

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Mohammad Iqbal

Jul 06, 2014 08:34pm

Pakistan Army has always a soft corner for the politicians born on the banks of Ravi and as such Altaf Hussain's show of strength in Karachi will have little effect on the GHQ. I call it a thankless exercise.

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Hasan

Jul 06, 2014 08:47pm

Salute To MQM for Taking Such Exemplary Measures, and bringing all major political parties one front, those who attended, made it clear where they stand in this fight against Terrorism.

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Ravi Dallas TX

Jul 06, 2014 09:12pm

What is commendable is they have always been vocal about TTP . I have been following dawn news for several years now and if you look back few years, everyone was dreaded to say anything against TTP - most other parties were openly or indirectly,supporting TTP. But MQM has always maintained they were against TTP What I also observed is many dawn readers donot like MQM, but they should be given credit for consistently being against militants. It is easy now to jump the bandwagon and say against TTP but back then you are risking your life to go against them.

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Ali Pakistani

Jul 06, 2014 09:13pm

MQM has brought the nation together in their support of our common cause. MQM should be congratulated in showing unity and solidarity with the Armed Forces.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jul 06, 2014 09:37pm

A man who always stands behind his words. I salute you Altaf Hussain. Wow what a rally. Now this is what I call public support. People love MQM

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GKBaloch

Jul 06, 2014 10:07pm

'He further stressed that MQM wants a 'real democratic' setup in the country.' - It was OK to serve a military dictator for 8 years, then remained coalition partner of Zardari, the very symbol of feudalism . Now he is talking about 'real democratic setup. No other party except PPP Sindh , is giving him any importance so he is sucking up to army.

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Sher

Jul 06, 2014 10:14pm

I don't think these Rallies or Pak Army can save you from Scottland Yard??

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Mustafa

Jul 06, 2014 10:16pm

@Harmony Our young jawans and officers are putting their lives on line and all you care about is one day of livelihood in a small part of the city. It is the terrorists and corruption-cracy that disrupts our livelihood every day. Army is also fighting against the fifth-column in our media. The people must speak out to show that neither the religious extremists nor the treasonous anchors on our media speak for them. Army's enemies with both the"Ghulail" and false "daleel" are simply enemies of Pakistan and Islam. Pak Fauj Zindabad.

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Mustafa

Jul 06, 2014 10:19pm

@Harmony Harmony between just two parties is called Mukmuka in Punjabi.

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Navaid

Jul 06, 2014 10:28pm

The people are with Altaf Hussain, especially those from Karachi, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. If the rest of Pakistan does not want a true change, then we will seek our own future, with or without the rest of Pakistan.

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shazy

Jul 06, 2014 10:54pm

Its a very good move & better for tomorrow for all Pakistanis local or overseas. May allah give prosperity and stability a.s.a.p! Pakistan Army Zindabad!

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Mustafa J.

Jul 06, 2014 11:25pm

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain fully supports the fight of Pakistan Army against militants and terrorist and this will be definitely appreciated by all Pakistanis but let this be clearly understood. No man or no party should use their support for the military operation to solicit support of Pakistanis to put them in power. Every leader and every party should be judged by Pakistanis on the basis of all their performance and not just supporting war on militants and terrorists.

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srafiq

Jul 06, 2014 11:38pm

Another topy drama. I would rather blame the people of Pakistan who support these corrupt leaders. I can guarantee that if we stop supporting these blood sucking leaches today, things will become much better in our country Pakistan, In Sha Allah.

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Sridhar

Jul 06, 2014 11:41pm

His flunkies see no contradiction or perversity as Altaf niftily dodges bullets from the past, the present and the future. The ultimate goal is self-preservation as hundreds who believed in him are dead while he luxuriates in his refuge some thousands of miles away, never missing an opportunity to exhort others to sacrifice their lives! What a leader! Pakistan is the only country in the sub-continent whose leaders spend more time in the affluent sanctuaries offered by Saudi Arabia, UAE and London than do in Pakistan itself!

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Khan

Jul 06, 2014 11:43pm

@mohammadnoonnanna read previous news cutting before start of Karachi operation 10 months back MQM demanded Karachi operation under army, what MQM against is extrajudicial killing & inhumane torture of Karachi youths by LEA

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janan

Jul 06, 2014 11:54pm

@Harmony They? please elaborate.

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Tahir Amjad

Jul 07, 2014 12:20am

@GKBaloch Well said...let me add a bit more. He is under tremendous pressure by Scotland Yard investigations in Imran Farooq murder case, as a prime suspect behind it and the two assassins are in pak army's custody. The moment army allow Scotland Yard an access to these two men, BHAI will be in great trouble.His love for army is only meant for saving his own skin.

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tnemeganam

Jul 07, 2014 12:23am

@Mohammad Iqbal I totally agree with you. Well said.

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Tahir Amjad

Jul 07, 2014 12:40am

@Ravi Dallas TX We in Pakistan know very well that TTP is a brutal terrorist force and has to eliminated once for all, but I doubt about Altaf Hussain hue & cry in this regard. 1.I feel on pretension of TTP 's brutality he want to neutralise Pashtoon community living in karachi & offering him tremendous opposition to control the city. 2.His own militant wing has committed heinous crimes against his opposition, if he is against terrorism ' he must disown/disband it.

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raj

Jul 07, 2014 12:44am

People who commenting against Altaff or MQM are obviously missing the point, rather than support the Army which the main theme they are criticising him for the sake of criticising. They should come out to say they support the Taliban. If Altaf hussain laid down his life for Pakistan the insane people will still call it a political stunt or come up with conspiracy theorist.

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raj

Jul 07, 2014 12:48am

@Karachi Wala MQM did not get support from the JI or PTI the mummy and Daddy's children, they obviously support TTP.

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raj

Jul 07, 2014 12:50am

@Ganga Din Hello Ganga Din, Altaf Hussain could have abstained like other political parties, he didn't that is what the choice he had. PTI and JI are in clear violation of Pakistan's constitution as they support TTP.

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raj

Jul 07, 2014 12:52am

@Atta Altaf Hussain played a trump card it should have been done PMLN.

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Jawad U Rahman

Jul 07, 2014 01:13am

I'm not a fan of Altaf Hussain, but you have to admire MQM's consistent stand against extremism and terrorism. They stand out for their stance on terrorism, minority rights, and religious extremism. They are the first and often the only one speaking up when others are scared or making deals.

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Osama

Jul 07, 2014 01:24am

MQM is the right party.

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Aijaz Malik

Jul 07, 2014 01:49am

Altaf Hussein's support for Pakistan Armed Forces's Zarb-e-Azb is timely and right call. Our armed forces have shed so much blood of young highly trained & brave sherdils in the country since 1947. That was at cost to the national treasure which otherwise could have been used to keep armed forces upto-date with warfare technology & advancement. We must understand that Gen Raheel Sharif must have sleepless nights these days by the unnecessary killings of his countrymen and loss of lives of brave handsome young sherdils. May Allah swt give Gen Raheel Sharif wisdom & courage to finish once for all this ugly menace from the country. He must leave a stern reminder behind that Pakistan shall never again tolerate the current lawlessness in the country. May Allah swt protect our sherdils during the Zarb-e-Azb Operation and minimize civilian casualties. Aameen!

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Farhan

Jul 07, 2014 02:58am

They wrote a letter to the British government to abolish ISI. They blamed Army for the operation in 92 ... and now they are expressing their solidarity towards them. I am not surprised as this is what MQM is all about. They also are the only political party in Pakistan who are in the Government and opposition at the same time

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Ahmed

Jul 07, 2014 04:00am

@GKBaloch the best. Good one!

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Jul 07, 2014 04:09am

I am surprised after reading the comments! If Altaf Hussain is supportive of the current operation against law breakers then it should be supported rather then criticized.

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Dipak

Jul 07, 2014 04:33am

Atlafbhai, Pakistani Army is not that simple. You will never be able to return to Pakistan. Best you can do is a short visit to India.

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Hamza Zuberi

Jul 07, 2014 04:47am

@Ravi Dallas TX "It is easy now to jump the bandwagon and say against TTP but back then you are risking your life to go against them." You have to keep in mind that you're also risking your life if you say anything against MQM while living in Karachi. Try living in this city, running a business here for a few months, and see how you feel then. Rub MQMhappier living in Waziristan.

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A Subhan

Jul 07, 2014 05:45am

@GKBaloch .... Very well said...absolutely a very good comment.

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Danial

Jul 07, 2014 06:11am

Probably the only moderate party who has stood up against terrorists, pushed for women rights and today against proved that they're not scared of terrorists the way imran khan and nawaz shareef are

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Jul 07, 2014 08:03am

I am surprised at the comments! If Altaf Hussain is supporting operation against law breakers then is should be appreciated rather then being criticized.

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najam

Jul 07, 2014 08:09am

Right ! Buttering the army again. May God bless Pakistan.

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Ahmad

Jul 07, 2014 06:31pm

I fail to understand the approach of our confused Pakistanis. If Altaf Hussain supports Pakistan army then he is buttering Pakistan army. When he says something against army then he is a traitor and Raw agent......If MQM sits with PPP government then they are partners of PPP & partners of Feudal of Sind and if not then they are dividing Sind...... Even if he is buttering Pakistan army then you all should be pleased because he is buttering Pakistani army not Indian Army....If all of you recalls then you will remember that MQM boycotted the local body election which was held under General Pervez Mushurraf LFO. When Pakistan's "beloved" the then hero CJ Iftikhar Chaudry gave the military coup legitimacy then MQM took part in elections and joined the PML-Q government. So hats off to MQM and Altaf Hussain for bold decision of supporting Pakistani Army...........

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jake

Jul 07, 2014 07:25pm

@Ahmad Well said Ahmad, people just spew hate as they don't belive in facts, they blame MQM for bhatta without any proof, if MQM collected bhatta it would have been rich enough to build palaces like in Raiwind and Surrey and not a small building called 90. Who has plundered the wealth of the nation not MQM. MQM people are not corrupt as no one has taken any MQM member to courts over corruption. It is all a propaganda by the rulling opponent political parties and their supporters.

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Harmony

Jul 08, 2014 04:32am

@Mustafa - They should support our army on media...there is no need for such drama by disruptions like this. They blackmailed the city like this on his ID card as well.

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Naeem

Jul 09, 2014 02:03am

Maybe we are forgetting all the Army officers that were killed by "bhai's" terrorists after the 1992 operation

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