The unfathomable personality of Altaf Hussain and A review of Altaf Hussain rise as a national leader.
MQM goes hand in hand. Son to Nazir Hussain, Altaf Hussain was born in Karachi on 17 September 1953. His father was a railway employee with limited economic means. His life had taken a sudden twist when he attended the one year compulsory training in the National cadet Corps NCC , a college based training programme for civilian youths in Pakistan. It was here ,as he mentioned in many of his interviews, that he developed certain attitudes. He was distressed by the way he was treated by non-Muhajir cadets- belonging to so called martial races- who considered Urdu speakers as timid imbeciles. Altaf Hussain was a sensitive youth, he imbued himself in strict disciplinary training based on hierarchy, which was later reflected in the multi-tiered organization of the MQM. Also, he was reportedly manhandled by IJT activists when he was completing his post graduation in pharmacy.Thus, he was infuriated .He deeply resented the ethnic jokes about Muhajireens on vogue at that time.
Thus APMSO emerged from amongst the cadres of former graduates of KARACHI UNIVERSITY as a reaction to unilateralism of Islami Jamiat Talaba IJT.
Campus violence with the IJT as major factor took the lives of 80 students between 1982 and 1988. See Zahid Hussain The campus Mafias, The herald October 1988.
Altaf Hussain saw his meteoric rise in the martial law of Zia Ul Huq. There was fragmentisation of main stream in Pakistan. There was a noticeable growth in Sindhi nationalism. (GM Syed, Mumtaz Bhutto and Qadir Magsi and other endeavors. Many point out foreign collaboration in this frenzy; afghan war was going on at that time) The stigmatization of Urdu speakers by other groups on campuses gave birth to a new sense of Muhajir identity. There were language riots and interethnic competition in the socioeconomic sector which was adding up to the Muhajir consciousness. The arrival of biharis , some of them already been exposed to military activities , provided the most fertile field for the birth of MQM. The situation was most auspicious for such growth. There were many enthusiastic youths smattering in anguish.
Moreover,the MRD was initiated in the summer of 1983 Thus the intelligence agencies were too patronizing anti PPP activists. Muhajireens resented the quota system. The problem of transport (Dominated by Pushtuns, and there was a general complain of rudeness on part of buss conductors and drivers. Also there was apperception of a lack of civic sense on the part of transport mafia) and inter ethnic tension especially after the arrival of afghan Muhajireens also helped APMSO to dominate the campuses and colleges in Karachi .The youth was turning in huge numbers to the ranks of APMSO. Moreover, the new found ideology of Muhajir qaaumiat has already established its supremacy in the Urdu speaking intelligentsia. (Raees Amoorohi and other).
After experiencing a leadership role in student politics, Altaf went to Chicago as a taxi driver. The city of Al Capone and its tough neighbor hardened him. Younus Ahmed in his essay; the rise and fall of Altaf Hussain, the herald 1988, pp 62-64, has pointed out that in his leisure time he read literature on the Nazis. According to him, Hitler and his centrist organization left an undeniable impact on him and taught him how to manipulate a personality cult. Whether this is true or not however the organization and working of MQM is quite similar to Nazi party, it operates on the same principle of real despotism and centered around Altaf Husain in a similar pattern ( Nowadays there are many Goebbels too coming from the ranks of MQM).
Altaf gathered the team of his loyalist and formed MQM in 1984 (If I am not incorrect) There was no scarcity of support and funds. There were incidents too which boosted his cause such as Bushra Zaidi incident and growing sentiments of alienations amongst the Urdu speakers They gathered around him he re-incarnated himself self in the form of a leader who build a new network with strong roots in the urban mohalas and narrow streets of Aziz a bad , Orongi, Baldia, korongi, Nazimabad and other Muhajir settlements.
Hussain allowed no criticism and no competition; any flamboyant speaker other him is viewed as a threat. In the shruffa committee Altaf ensured that his loyalist held all leading positions. amir khan and afaq Ahmed who subsequently fell out with Altaf and went into hiding were initially his close confidants. Raymond Whitaker in his essay on Altaf Hussain named ‘Pakistan Top orator divides Karachi voters ‘’, The Independent 22 October 1990 commented
“It was not until Altaf Hussain began to speak to his 50 000 delirious followers in Hyderi market that one could see why half of Karachi regards him as a saint and the other half remembers Germany in the 1930s.The 37 year old leader of Muhajir Qaaumi Movement had the tinted shades, droopy moustache and podgy good looks the sub-continent favors in its films stars, but graffiti call him Altaf KILLER.”
He further commented
“No politician can match him for his oratory, nor is that the only reason they fear him. The MQM has violent ways with the opponents and dissidents.”
In the eighties and early nineties commanded the organization from 90 Aziz Abad, which worked as the headquarters. However satirically even at the height of his power he kept a car at the ready near his rallies to whisk him away in case of danger. He wore dark glasses day and night allegedly after advice to protect him from evil eye.
After 90 Aziz Abad, the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Karachi became the alternative focal point as he frequently sought admission there for treatment. Special prayers, vigils, speeches from his hospital bed despite the excruciating pain he was suffering created the image of an enduring, stead fast and unfailing Quaid. The hospital stay more than for its psychological and symbolical uses provided an effective sanctuary against the law enforcing agencies and militant rivals.
See observer report on Altaf Hussain on 4 April 1990. Some lines are been taken which are as follows
A former New York Taxi driver, newly dubbed as saint, is upsetting the political establishment of Pakistan as he languishes in bed here, surrounded by a posse of young virginal protectresses….He lies muffled up in bed in a humble house in Aziz Abad, a middle class area of Karachi, Pakistan largest and best armed city. Outside in the cordoned-off roads leading to his house , hundred wait, some joining him in his fast………………………………………………………His fast has earned this former pharmacist and taxi driver a new name among his followers- pir sahib, or saint. For the last three days, he has been on a glucose drip to prevent damage to his kidneys.

For more on his life and ideas one can also see his statement given to the local Urdu press while residing there during May to June 1990.
It was very funny when the 39 year old Pir sahib went to London for his medical treatment and joined by two other famous celeberiites .One on his death bed because of alcohol induced cirrhosis Jam Sadiq Ali and the other Pir of Pagara. It is curious that the three spent most of the time together making press appearances and attending special parties hosted for them.
See Daily Jang from May to June 1990.
Altaf downfall started when the then army Chief General Asif Nawaz took serious notice of ongoing lawlessness in Karachi and rural Sindh. The security agencies had published a list of 72 pathiadars who were involved in harboring crime and banditry in Sindh. There were very serious allegations from extortion, running torture cells, abducting and killing servicemen, robbery and even involvement in seditious activities against the nation state of Pakistan.
There were included many names MQM activists and member of national as well as provincial assembly in that list including
Altaf Hussain, Dr. Imran Farooq (MNA),Saleem shezad (MNA), Safdar Baqri (former Minister),Kunwar Naveed, Jawaid Langra , rasheed Ahmed Khan,Ashfaq Chief, Anees Ahmed Qaim Khani (MNA) , Khalid Bin Waleed , Afaq Ahmed, Islam Nami ( Federal Minister for production), Former DIG Aftab Nabi with others.
see Herald September 1992 PP 20-1 Mazhar Abbass article And Now For The Most wanted List.
Altaf Hussain seems to have a early ear to the operation He went to United Kingdom just before the operation on 1st January 1992 and escaped conviction. He applied for political asylum on 8 June 1992.
Despite repeated demands from Pakistani governments U.K government had turned a deaf year to such pleas. MQM Intensified its activities against the government The most troublesome years were between 1994 to 1996 in 1994 the death due to ethnic violence totaled 750 while from the beginning of 1995 up to 15march 1995 The tally had already reached 542. Even Abdul Satar Edhi has to flee Pakistan to save his life. There was Shia- Suuni sectarian violence too in the same period which truly made Karachi an ungovernable territory a virtual living hell at that time amidst a very ruthless security forces operation. Karchi was burning and Altaf Hussain was continuously giving strike calls Only in the first seven months of 1995 he had given more than 22 strikes call. There were loot and burning of property along with killing of hundreds of innocent civilians. However the UK government in 1998 had given the citizen status to Quaid e Tehreek in 1998. This event was jubilated amongst the MQM circle as a significant mile stone in their struggle.





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Thanks to Allah almighty who Mould me Human