Police declares Altaf Hussain absconder

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday accepted the charge sheet submitted by Sindh Police against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain.

In the charge sheet submitted today, Altaf has been declared an absconder in a case pertaining to using threatening language against Pakistan Rangers Sindh.

The latest development comes after the court concluded a hearing of the case registered earlier against the MQM chief.

Investigation Officer (IO) Mohammad Naeem submitted a charge sheet in court under Section 512 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which was accepted by the presiding judge

During the hearing, IO stated in court that Altaf could not be produced in court as he is not present in Pakistan.

Read: Non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Altaf in Gilgit-Baltistan

Responding to which, the court directed the IO to continue his investigation and submit a report in this regard during the next hearing of the case.

A notice was also earlier issued to Altaf Hussain to appear in court.

The First Information Report (FIR) of the case was registered in March at Civil Lines police station by Colonel Tahir of Pakistan Rangers.

Earlier this week, a three-member bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) was constituted to assess the maintainability of a case against MQM chief for his earlier remarks about the Pakistan Army.

In July, FIRs were registered in different parts of the country against Altaf Hussain for remarks made by him against the chief of Rangers in Sindh and the paramilitary force in recent speeches.

In the FIRs, Hussain was accused of involvement in cases of criminal conspiracy, waging or attempting or abetting the waging of war against Pakistan and committing acts of terrorism.

In April, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations Major-General Asim Bajwa had said that earlier statements made by the MQM chief regarding the Pakistan Army would be legally pursued.

Pakistan

Ishaq Tanoli is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 20 years of experience covering judicial and electoral affairs. His reporting focuses on the proceedings of the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court, as well as election matters. He can be found on X at @ishaqtanolihotm.

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anaffa

Aug 01, 2015 05:10pm

Great job Sindh police

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Merchant

Aug 01, 2015 05:21pm

Absconded for more than 2 decades. Better late than never.

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Honest and fair

Aug 01, 2015 05:29pm

This is no justice , why Khwaja Asif and Asif Zardari are not declared absconder who threatened the entire Armed Forces of Pakistan, why only Altaf Hussain for threatening Rangers.

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Naxalite

Aug 01, 2015 05:52pm

Thankyou Rangers. We sleep in peace nowadays.

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Rashid Ishaq

Aug 01, 2015 05:53pm

Seems like there is going to be a ban on his speeches which is really a good step; would it have been any other country, he was banned for life ages ago

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ali

Aug 01, 2015 05:55pm

what about mr zardari.. should he be not declared absconder as well. Why the double standard

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Aug 01, 2015 05:55pm

@Honest and fair "This is no justice , why Khwaja Asif and Asif Zardari are not declared absconder who threatened the entire Armed Forces of Pakistan, why only Altaf Hussain for threatening Rangers" Because Altaf Hussain is not son of the soil and Khuwaja Asif, Asif Zardari, Imran Khan and the Sharifs are the son of the soil. This is called open discrimination. An eye opener for urban sindh that minus MQM what will happen to them. It is good in a sence that urban sindh should get a reality check why creation of MQM was and is so important for them. Anyone still wondering why MQM has such huge support in urban sindh?

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Fareed

Aug 01, 2015 05:58pm

At least they classify him as an absconder.

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pervaiz iqbal

Aug 01, 2015 05:59pm

@Naxalite Good indeed but you must also answer the question of HONEST AND FAIR to be fair.

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Alpha Beta

Aug 01, 2015 06:01pm

Good!

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Changez_Khan

Aug 01, 2015 06:07pm

Altaf Bhai: Pakistan loves you, please come back to Pakistan, we promise we will not arrest you, we will not harm you, we will even make you Prime Minister, just come back to Pakistan just once please.

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farjee

Aug 01, 2015 06:10pm

@Merchant that's because he is not son of soil and certainly not a son of rich landlord or industrialist. He knows how our court system work in our country. Please look at the court decisions regarding Zardari and Shareef's and you realise better. Forget about them even Ayaan case is lot to say.. And Sarfaraz is dropped again from team..you have no clue why MQM was made..

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Pstrad

Aug 01, 2015 06:15pm

@Honest and fair why you compared Altaf Hussain with these folks. Theyhave Pakistani nationality while big brother have british citizenship which he openly admited. I am waiting for your comments.

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A Shah

Aug 01, 2015 06:18pm

Altar is a true son of Pakistan and the only honest politician in the country. We salute you sir and will give our lives to protect you

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Kirankhan

Aug 01, 2015 06:20pm

Can this happen in panjab? No way

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Alien

Aug 01, 2015 06:23pm

Only criminal will support IH..... He has ruined Karachi in past 22 years it must end here .

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Khan-USA

Aug 01, 2015 06:29pm

Why Khwaja Asif and Zardari are not declared absconder ?

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Alam

Aug 01, 2015 06:43pm

So basically No Freedom of Speech/Expression against Army in Pakistan! This is great democracy aka dictatorship at work.

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Ailly

Aug 01, 2015 06:49pm

what about money extortion, ransom, kidnap and bhatta cases ?.

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JUSTICE

Aug 01, 2015 06:55pm

Now wait and see if Sind police have power to take same action against PPP chairman Asif Zardari who give fir worst hate speech against Pak Army chief than Altaf hussain speech against Rangers.

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Basit

Aug 01, 2015 07:00pm

@Alam who is dictator army or gov just check out their methids of working

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Kamal Pasha

Aug 01, 2015 07:05pm

Have not heard from him since last two days. It is long time. May be he is not feeling well or has run out of new words.

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Imran from Chicago

Aug 01, 2015 07:07pm

@Alam "freedom of speech does not mean challenge national interests". Try getting on TV and Radio in the United States and insult US Army and Marines.

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KeyPoints

Aug 01, 2015 07:09pm

This fellow should not be allowed to make weekly political statements about Pakistan, while living in London as british citizen. If he wants to participate in pakistani political system, he should live in Pakistan, so he would be help accountable for his speeches.

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IMRAN ALI

Aug 01, 2015 07:14pm

ATC is also tool of Rangers....decision given as per instruction of Rangers..

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Aug 01, 2015 07:16pm

Enough with naming him this and naming him that. Just be done with him already.

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KeyPoints

Aug 01, 2015 07:21pm

@Naxalite Good comment. One should never underestimate the determination and resolve of Pak forces. Nation is looking forward to the day, when corrupt officials would be history. Corruption in many civilian departments has looted pakistani citizen for far too long. Its time criminals pay the price for their crimes. Thank you rangers for rescuing the country. Long live pak forces.

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Robbie

Aug 01, 2015 07:27pm

Are'nt the police absconders too??, they are never around when there are robberies commited in the city, they are only around the scene 1-2 hours later when the crime has committed. How many times have they come to one's rescue on time.

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Faysal

Aug 01, 2015 07:30pm

Everyone involved be tried!

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M Jamal

Aug 01, 2015 08:03pm

We had made mockery of our national leaders previously too and doing the same now.The best thing is to listen to the voters.He represent Urban Sindh.Why not go for referendum to see the heart beat.

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Tanveer Nawaz Khan

Aug 01, 2015 08:14pm

Another drama, did we have any progress about the Gilgit-Baltistan govt registering FIR against Altaf Bhai, or Imran Farooq case. No nothing, these cases are just to publicise Altaf Hussain and advertise him on daily basis. He needs to be brought to Pakistan, and then the cases will have some progress.

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Sayyid

Aug 01, 2015 08:15pm

Thank you Pak Rangers. We Karachites are in peace!

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Maarium

Aug 01, 2015 08:17pm

Altaf Hussain should come back to Pakistan and be a true leader to his party.. Sitting in London and asking other countries to get justice for your party members isn't leadership, it's called being a coward!

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 01, 2015 08:23pm

Too little, too late.

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Sajjad

Aug 01, 2015 08:27pm

@Honest and fair - Zaradri has spent 8 years in Jail, Khuwaja Asif has been dragged in streets of Islamabad during Musharaf's tenure. They do all their Bad business here. They do all their corruption here. Altaf Hussain should come to Sindh, this is his country and his home. He should show us some light and help us get rid of this feudal system if he really wants to. This Remote Management must end.

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Sajjad

Aug 01, 2015 08:32pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan - Altaf hussain is son of this soil and he should come back and fight with the system like Bhutto did. Its time that he stops this remote management and I bet you, he might get hold of 50% of sindh when he is here. Let me give you a reality check. People of Urban are hard working people and they hold 80% of jobs in Corporate sector. They are rather privileged then deprived. Its just a shame that MQM forcefully represents them.

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Syed Hafeez

Aug 01, 2015 08:55pm

Atalf have no time, he is wasting his time on non-issue to de-seating PTI which not his job, domain, The party was formed to do away with Quota System, to address the injustice done to Muhaijirs in jobs, education and civil rights. Did they ever do anything to high light these issues. Never. Now Altaf is alone, sindh police is behind him, but unable to take action against BABA Zardar and Khawaja Asif both used abusive languages against agency and armed forces. No action against them. this is totally biased.

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2cents

Aug 01, 2015 10:05pm

@ali one step at a time my friend...

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pakistani

Aug 01, 2015 10:21pm

Great job Sindh police

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Muhammad

Aug 01, 2015 10:26pm

@Sajjad very well said.

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Cyrus

Aug 01, 2015 10:31pm

@Changez_Khan .... .... Please. Please. Please. MQM supporters need hugs.

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Cyrus

Aug 01, 2015 10:33pm

@farjee ... ... ... Everyone knows how the court system works in Pakistan.

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Cyrus

Aug 01, 2015 10:35pm

@A Shah ... ... ... Was Mahatma Gandhi leading his people from London?

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Changez_Khan

Aug 01, 2015 10:38pm

Altaf Bhai is my hero, our hero, he is 2nd greatest leader of Pakistan after Quaid-e-azam. Please come back to Pakistan and take charge and run the country, the country needs you, people of Pakistan need you. We have asked rangers to welcome you at Karachi airport and best news is we have even asked Gen. Raheel Sharif to invite you on dinner. What else do you need, please come back, even it is for just a day or two, just come back and visit us, it has been 2 decades we have seen you. Just come back please.

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Cyrus

Aug 01, 2015 10:42pm

@KeyPoints ... ... Exactly the key point.

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mirza

Aug 01, 2015 10:44pm

@Honest and fair because he speaks a different language and because he is not so smart

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Cyrus

Aug 01, 2015 10:45pm

@IMRAN ALI ... ... Better than locking down Karachi under martial law. Any prime minister or president has the power to declare martial law on the streets.

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mirza

Aug 01, 2015 10:46pm

@Pstrad he has dual citizenship like many other pakistanis

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Shahid Akbar, USA

Aug 01, 2015 11:22pm

@Honest and fair Good point!

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Radiohead

Aug 01, 2015 11:35pm

@Sajjad Working in private sector is a privilege? this is the first time I heard that. Working in a government sector is a know privilege, everybody knows why.

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Nessar

Aug 01, 2015 11:36pm

@A Shah ......yes he's honest about everything except when he is resigning!

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Radiohead

Aug 01, 2015 11:38pm

@IMRAN ALI Good observations.

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Zubaida Khan

Aug 01, 2015 11:57pm

@Syed Hafeez MQM realized a long time ago that if they do away with quota system the Mohajirs would suffer. See back in the 70s the Mohajirs had the highest number of educated people. But 30 years later due to the availability of education across the board, the number of educated people among the non-mohajir has increased sharply. Also the number of people identifying themselves as mohajirs has dropped. Mohajirs would be at a loss the quota system was converted to simple merit. And the quota system only applies to government jobs, it does not apply to the private sector at all where the dramatic growth has been. So we really do not need an MQM.

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M Jamal

Aug 02, 2015 12:53am

What a tragedy in this country where you can file 100 of FIRs against a political leader representing Urban Sindh but a lady asking for justice for so many years for rape,kidnapping and forceful conversion (all reported in todays Dawn)cannot file a single FIR against the guilty after so many years.So those making celebrations for FIRs on AH must revisit the lapses we are committing in this country and must pursue for real justice,equality, merit, good governance and localisation.

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Arsalan

Aug 02, 2015 01:51am

What is stopping Sindh police to reach out to Interpol and issuing red warrants. All is drama to delay and defer

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Khan-USA

Aug 02, 2015 02:22am

@Syed Hafeez Altaf is not interested in de seating PTI members . PTI members had openly resigned from the assembly . But now they a U turn and licking their own spit. If they have resigned which they did , please go back to voters to get a fresh mandate. What respect and dignity PTI will have if they retain their seats with the mercy of same PML N whom they had been calling thugs and fake .

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Pragmatic

Aug 02, 2015 03:43am

People who are challenging Altaf to come back, can they guarantee for his life if he returns? We only die once. Why is AAZ in Dubai after making inflammatory comments on establishment? Why was NS in Dubai after military coup? One clear advantage these people have over Altaf is, he's not one of us by background but only by birth. Even 2nd generation NRPs are considered aliens in the countries their parents migrated to.

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Salim

Aug 02, 2015 05:23am

We r always with u Altaf Bhai no matter what .

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FAIRVIEW

Aug 02, 2015 05:46am

@Imran from Chicago Never in the History of America, US Army or Marines have targeted a particular political party.

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Bob

Aug 02, 2015 07:53am

@Honest and fair Zardari and other are not Mohajirs. This is a plan against Mohajirs. Otherwise, don't you think that i t is laughable that a man who has not visited Pakistan in two decades is declared as an absconder?

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zafar iqbal

Aug 02, 2015 08:27am

@Alam that is right!!!

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on looker

Aug 02, 2015 02:59pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Really - AH made named threat to a govt official on duty - not a general statement about an institution. Khawaja and Zaradi do not have military wings.... No need to play Mojhar card By the Khawaj Asif too is mohajir from East Punjab - but they don't pull this card!

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