The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party’s Coordination Committee member Nadeem Nusrat said that the party is making efforts to bring its leader Altaf Hussain back home. Protests in Karachi and the entire Sindh province erupted after reports that Mr. Hussain was arrested by Britain’s Scotland Yard police on Tuesday. Businesses, petrol stations and shops remain closed, and unknown persons set dozens of cars ablaze.
Altaf Hussain suffering from cardiac problem, diabetes and high blood pressure
Nusrat said Altaf Hussain is ailing. The MQM chief is suffering from high blood pressure, cardiac problem and diabetes. These diseases have made it difficult for him to even walk for the past few days. Doctors had earlier advised him to visit a hospital so that the necessary tests could be performed as soon as possible. Under these circumstances, it was of utmost priority to bring him home. Nadeem Nusrat urged party supporters and the masses to maintain peace. He said that Altaf Hussain had not been charged and was not formally arrested.
Another prominent MQM leader Farooq Sattar said the party will continue to protest until the British government provides a guarantee that Mr. Hussain would be protected. He added that there were no charges against Altaf Hussain, so his detention without charges was against the basic tenets of justice. Sattar rebutted reports that Hussain’s bail application was rejected say they were baseless rumors. Attorneys representing the party chief will submit a bail application today.
#MQM calls for peace & unity seemed to have worked. A very calm #Karachi tonight. Unlike violence we’ve seen in past. #Pakistan
— Saima Mohsin (@SaimaMohsin) June 3, 2014
Imran Khan expresses solidarity with MQM and Altaf Hussain
Farooq Sattar said many of the nation’s top politicians expressed solidarity with MQM. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan also expressed solidarity with MQM and its workers. Mr. Khan said he had differences with Altaf Hussain, but the prevailing situation is of a sensitive nature. Sattar said transporters and traders in Karachi have promised full support to MQM.
Many other MQM leaders took to Twitter to express their grief and outrage on the arrest of Altaf Hussain:
Tks to all standing w/us in solidarity in these trying times!My Quaid has always raised voice agnst injustice&oppression &taught us patience
— Saman J. (@SsamanJay) June 4, 2014
For the information of those who are declaring my Quaid as criminal, should know he has not been charged nor the prosecution has completed.
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) June 4, 2014
No matter what #WeLoveAltafHussain
— HaiderAbbasRizvi N.I (@HaiderRizviMQM) June 3, 2014
#WeLoveAltafHussain #MQM @WasayJalil @LoveMQM :This Picture Speak A Million Words pic.twitter.com/05L8nXYQxG
— Qamar Mansoor (@QamarMansoor) May 25, 2014
Tweets about “#WeLoveAltaf”
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