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MQM leader Altaf Hussain to return from self exile
Islamabad, Nov 03: In a significant move, altaf Hussain, leader of Pakistan`s Muthahida Quami Movement (MQM) today announced that he would return from self exile even as his party geared up to support the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Qaide Azam (PML-Q) to form a coalition government.
Islamabad, Nov 03: In a significant move, altaf
Hussain, leader of Pakistan's Muthahida Quami Movement (MQM) today announced that he would return from self exile even as his party geared up to support the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Qaide Azam (PML-Q) to form a coalition government.
Hussain, who lived in self-exile in London, said in a statement in Karachi today that he would return home shortly, local television reports said. The MQM leader said, "I would return to the country at any cost because I don't want to put burden on my consciousness,” and asked the party workers and his supporters to continue his mission in case he was arrested or killed. Hussain, who faces a host of criminal civil cases, went into self-exile in London several years ago.
MQM, a party agitating for the rights of migrants, has its strong hold in Karachi and other urban centres in southern Sindh province. The party has emerged as the fourth largest party in the recent elections to the national assembly winning a total of 17 seats. With the mainstream political parties struggling to form the government, the MQM reportedly threw its lot with PML-Q for the purpose. Though the party has not yet officially announced its support, a top leader of the party Aftab Sheakh was seen attending a meeting of allied parties of the PML-Q today. The sudden announcement by Hussain to return has raised speculation here that the party might have cut a deal with the PML-Q and the military government to permit its leader's comeback in return for its support.
Bureau Report
Hussain, who lived in self-exile in London, said in a statement in Karachi today that he would return home shortly, local television reports said. The MQM leader said, "I would return to the country at any cost because I don't want to put burden on my consciousness,” and asked the party workers and his supporters to continue his mission in case he was arrested or killed. Hussain, who faces a host of criminal civil cases, went into self-exile in London several years ago.
MQM, a party agitating for the rights of migrants, has its strong hold in Karachi and other urban centres in southern Sindh province. The party has emerged as the fourth largest party in the recent elections to the national assembly winning a total of 17 seats. With the mainstream political parties struggling to form the government, the MQM reportedly threw its lot with PML-Q for the purpose. Though the party has not yet officially announced its support, a top leader of the party Aftab Sheakh was seen attending a meeting of allied parties of the PML-Q today. The sudden announcement by Hussain to return has raised speculation here that the party might have cut a deal with the PML-Q and the military government to permit its leader's comeback in return for its support.
Bureau Report