Altaf Hussain voluntarily steps down as MQM leader after London raids
LONDON: Deeming a recent police raid on his apartment as a disgrace to his reputation, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader, Altaf Hussain, has announced to voluntarily relinquish the party leadership...
June 30, 2013
"Metropolitan Police raided my house and took away many things. When the home of a person, who also happens to be the political leader of millions, is subjected to such an investigatory action, then it becomes imperative for him to step down on moral grounds", said he talking exclusively to Geo News.
Altaf Hussain's statement comes at a time when British Prime Minister, David Cameron, is vising Pakistan. Cameron called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday and will hold a meeting with Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif today (Sunday).
He said he was renouncing the leadership of his party since New Scotland Yard ransacked his house in North West London and seized many items/documents in connection with Dr Imran Farooq murder case investigation. He said whatever happened called into question the name of the leader of his stature.
"I am abdicating my responsibility as the Quaid-e-Tehreek. I am transferring my powers to MQM Coordination Committee", said he.
He said that if a court of law took up Dr Imran Farooq murder case then he would not engage any lawyer, solicitor, or barrister, rather he would fight his case himself.
"I would plead my case personally and embrace the ruling of the honourable court openheartedly regardless of which way it goes", he added.
Vowing to continue his Haqparastana (righteous) struggle Altaf advised his followers to stay committed no matter what happened.
"Hold your heads high and repose your full trust in the party leadership", said Altaf Hussain.
Following their party leader's announcement, throngs of shocked party workers, supporters, sympathizers showed up at the MQM Headquarter 'Nine Zero' in Karachi and other parts of the country.
According to sources, at the moment, the workers are chanting slogans to express their solidarity as well as allegiance to Altaf Hussain's leadership demanding him to withdraw his decision.
The sources added that the MQM Coordination Committee London and Karachi chapters are constantly in touch since his announcement, however an official statement regarding Altaf Hussain’s decision was yet to be issued.
More than a week ago, Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command Unit searched two North West London "residential addresses" for 55 hours with one of them belonging to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain.
The New Scotland Yard, which raided the houses, rooted both the apartments during the painstaking search and confiscated many important documents.
According to sources, Altaf Hussain is the proprietor of one of the two houses, however the details of the ownership of the other apartment are yet unknown.
Dr Farooq, the former convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was stabbed to death outside his home on 16th September 2010 as he was returning home.
The UK police is investing the murder of Dr Farooq case on several lines, including one strong line of investigation that Dr Farooq was in discussions with his colleagues and members of the public to start his own independent political career.
These searches were carried out under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
Subsequently London police arrested a British man of Pakistani origin questioned him for 34 hours before he was released on bail.
