Altaf Demands Immediate Release of MQM activists: Urges Dialogue Over Repression - Altaf Hussain
LONDON. APRIL 12: MQM supremo Altaf Hussain has made a strong appeal to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately halt the arrests of innocent MQM workers in Karachi and Hyderabad, end the violation of the sanctity of homes, cease enforced disappearances, and ensure the immediate release of all detainees.
He clarified that the recent protests led by MQM were not against the country, but rather against the controversial project of extracting additional canals from the River Indus.
He stated that this plan has triggered widespread protests across Sindh. In a recent address, Altaf Hussain, identifying himself as a son of Sindh, shared evidence-based facts against the project and urged his followers to join protests across the province.
Responding to his call, MQM members peacefully joined a lawyers' protest in Hyderabad, demanding the River Indus be granted its rightful share of water.
As a consequence, he said, a mass crackdown was initiated, resulting in the arrest of dozens of innocent workers in Karachi and Hyderabad, many of whom have since gone missing. He warned that this wave of oppression is still ongoing.
Altaf Hussain posed critical questions to the President, Prime Minister, state institutions, and the people of Pakistan from all ethnicities and regions.
He questioned what crime MQM workers had committed, whether they had looted water from the Indus, or merely demanded their rightful share.
He asked if speaking up for a river's water was a crime or an act of treason.
He reminded the nation that MQM represents the descendants of Pakistan's founding generation, those who sacrificed everything for the creation of the country. Despite decades of service, Altaf lamented, MQM has continued to face discrimination and betrayal. He recalled the military operation launched against MQM on June 19, 1992, the false narrative of "Jinnahpur," and the baseless charges of being anti-state, all of which were later retracted, including the army’s denial of ever recovering any map related to “Jinnahpur.” Yet, he said, the propaganda against MQM persists to this day.
He drew parallels with the treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, stating that similar propaganda tactics are now being used against him. Altaf questioned the validity of the ongoing accusations of treason and foreign affiliation against Imran Khan and demanded to know the reason behind his continued imprisonment for the past two years.
Highlighting the injustices in Balochistan, Altaf pointed out that women protesting for their missing loved ones are being thrown into jails, and political leaders like Sardar Akhtar Mengal face suppression for speaking up. He criticized the ruling elite for celebrating and indulging in festivities while the nation burns in chaos and grief.
Altaf Hussain concluded by urging President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to fear divine wrath and immediately release all innocent detainees, recover the missing persons, and free Imran Khan.
He emphasised that instead of using power to suppress opposition, the government must choose the path of direct dialogue and peaceful resolution.
He made these remarks during his address at the 239th Intellectual Session on TikTok held on April 11, 2025.