KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain has contracted Covid-19 and is currently admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a London hospital where he is “fast recovering”, his party said on Monday.

The news of Mr Hussain’s ailment came to light after his brief audio message started circulating on social media on Monday. The audio message was first aired by a YouTube channel, Meri Awaz Suno, in its live-streamed programme in the night between Sunday and Monday in which London-based MQM convener Tariq Javed, senior leader Mustafa Azizabadi and many others participated.

In a frail voice, Mr Hussain, who has been living in the United Kingdom for the past around three decades, said in the audio message he had been admitted to the ICU of a hospital for the past 20 days. “It is because of your prayers that I am able to record this message. May God save all of us from this disease, Covid-19! All of us should take precautions and help each other.”

He mentioned that he recorded the audio message on Jan 30 and said he would talk to his followers soon again after complete recovery.

“Altaf bhai’s health is not good, but it doesn’t mean the rumours being spread by our enemies are true,” MQM convener Tariq Javed told the web programme. “Altaf bhai is recovering fast because of the prayers of his supporters and followers.”

Mr Azizabadi said that “millions” of people from all over the world were praying for the recovery of the MQM supremo. “His health is improving and God willing he will soon talk to his people through video,” he said.

On Jan 23, the official Twitter handle of the MQM [London] had tweeted that Mr Hussain got ill and “after check-up, doctor advised him to rest and suspend his political activities”.

Mr Hussain and his party, now known as MQM-London, have been facing an undeclared ban after his Aug 22, 2016 incendiary speech. His party leaders in Pakistan had distanced themselves from him and rebranded the party as MQM-Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2021