Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London

{{Distinguish|Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan|Mohajir Qaumi Movement – Haqiqi}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Infobox political party | name = Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London | logo = MQMworld.PNG | logo_size = 170px | colorcode = {{party color|Muttahida Qaumi Movement}} | predecessor = ''Muhajir Qaumi Movement'' ''All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organization'' | headquarters = Edgware, London, United Kingdom (last/final) Nine Zero, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan (former, demolished in 2016) | leader = Altaf Hussain | ideology = Liberalism<ref>{{cite news|title=Explainer: Pakistan's main political parties|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/spotlight/pakistan-elections/2013/04/20134277479966662.html|date=6 May 2013|work=Aljazeera.com}}</ref> Social liberalism Muhajir nationalism<ref>{{Citation |first=Farhan Hanif |last=Siddiqi |title=The Politics of Ethnicity in Pakistan: The Baloch, Sindhi and Mohajir ethnic movements |publisher=Routledge |year=2012 |page=116}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |first=Ian |last=Talbot |title=The Punjabization of Pakistan: Myth or Reality |work=Pakistan: Nationalism without a Nation? |publisher=Zed Books |year=2002 |page=65}}</ref> Secularism<ref name="sec1">{{Citation |first=Stephen P. |last=Cohen |title=Pakistan: Arrival and Departure |work=The future of Pakistan |publisher=The Brookings Institution |year=2011 |page=22 |quote=The avowedly secular Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)...}}</ref><ref name="sec2">{{Citation |first=Peter |last=Lyon |title=Mohajir Qaumi Mahaz |encyclopedia=Conflict between India and Pakistan: An Encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2008 |page=115 |quote=Despite its ethnic-based politics, the MQM claims to be the only significant political force in Pakistan to stand up openly for secular values.}}</ref> | website = {{URL|http://www.mqm.org}} | country = Pakistan | position = Centre | founder = Altaf Hussain | native_name = {{Nastaliq|متحدہ قومی موومنٹ - لندن}} | leader1_title = Convener | leader1_name = Mustafa Azizabadi<ref name="dawn">{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1796652|title=WILL THE REAL MQM PLEASE STAND UP?|date=10 December 2023|access-date=30 January 2024|work=Dawn (newspaper)}}</ref> | spokesperson = Aftab Baqai<ref name="dawn" /> | leader2_title = Parliamentary leader to the National Assembly | leader2_name = | leader3_title = | leader3_name = | leader4_title = | leader4_name = | slogan = Empowering People | founded = {{start date|1984|3|18|df=yes}} | student_wing = All Pakistan Muttahidda Students Organization (APMSO) | wing2_title = | wing2 = | dissolved = 12 August 2025<ref>{{cite web |date=12 August 2025 |title=Altaf Hussain tells MQM workers they are free to join any party |url=https://humenglish.com/latest/altaf-hussain-tells-mqm-workers-they-are-free-to-join-any-party |access-date=12 August 2025 |website=Hum News English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=12 August 2025 |title=Altaf Hussain tells MQM workers they are free to join any party |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1929736 |access-date=12 August 2025 |website=Dawn}}</ref> | colors = Red, green and white {{color box|red}}{{color box|green}}{{color box|white}} | symbol = | flag = Flag of MQM-London.png }} {{Contains special characters|Urdu}} The '''Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|متحدہ قومی موومنٹ - لندن}}}}, {{Transliteration|ur|''Muttaḥidah Qọ̄mī Mūwmaṅṫ Laundan''}}), also known as '''MQM–London''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|ایم کیو ایم - لندن}}}}), previously known as the '''Muhajir Qaumi Movement – Altaf'''{{efn|{{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|مہاجر قومی موومنٹ۔الطاف}}}}, {{Transliteration|ur|''Moḥajir Qọ̄mī Mūwmaṅṫ - Alta'af''}}}} or '''MQM–Altaf''',{{efn|{{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|ایم کیو ایم - الطاف}}}}, {{Transliteration|ur|''MQM - Alta'af''}}}} was a Muhajir nationalist and secular socio-liberalist political party in Pakistan that was founded by Altaf Hussain in 1984.<ref name="sec1"/><ref name="sec2"/> Currently the party was split between multiple factions. The MQM–London faction, which was controlled by Altaf Hussain from London, while the separate MQM–Pakistan was run by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui based in Pakistan, while another, the MQM-Haqiqi faction, was led by Afaq Ahmed. Its electoral symbol was a kite.

It was founded as a student organization, All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization (APMSO), in 1978 by Altaf Hussain. APMSO gave birth to the Muhajir Qaumi Movement in 1984. In 1997, the MQM removed the term Muhajir (which denoted the party's roots among the country's Urdu-speaking community) from its name and replaced it with ''Muttahida'' ("United"). The MQM was generally known as the party that once held strong mobilizing potential in Karachi, having formerly been the dominant political force in the city.<ref>{{cite news|last=Web Desk|title=Second MQM strike halts activity in Karachi|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/540835/second-mqm-strike-halts-activity-in-karachi/|access-date=29 April 2013|newspaper=Express Tribune|date=April 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Mitra|first=Subrata Kumar|author2=Mike Enskat|author3=Clemens Spiess|title=Political parties in South Asia|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2004|edition=illustrated|page=366|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dObxI9xahSYC|isbn=0-275-96832-4}}</ref>

The party had kept its influence over Pakistan's federal government as a key coalition partner since the late 1980's (including 1988–1990, 1990–1992, 2002–2007, 2008–2013).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-22880-UK-envoy-adds-new-dimension-to-Altaf-controversy|title=UK envoy adds new dimension to Altaf controversy|work=The News|date=16 May 2013}}</ref> However, in 2015, MQM parliamentarians resigned from the National Assembly, Senate and Provincial Assembly of Sindh in protest against a crackdown on party supporters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33883959|title=Pakistan MQM party quits parliament 'over crackdown'|work=BBC|date=12 August 2015}}</ref>

In August 2016, after Altaf Hussain's controversial 22 August speech, there was a crackdown on the party. Nine Zero, the party's headquarters in Karachi, was raided, sealed, and bulldozed. The party's leaders residing in Pakistan, including Farooq Sattar, were arrested, and most elected parliamentarians in the MQM disassociated themselves from Altaf Hussain due to his speech. MQM terminated Farooq Sattar's party membership for party rules violations, from where he then formed his own MQM faction.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/355307-MQM-London-dismisses-Farooq-Sattar-from-partys-pr|title=MQM London dismisses Farooq Sattar from party's primary membership — Pakistan — Dunya News|newspaper=dunyanews.tv|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref>

The party was officially dissolved on 12 August 2025 by Altaf Hussain who, after having worked for it for almost 47 years since its founding in 1978, told his party workers that they were free to join any party that they wished. This came after the party had been inactive for almost 9 years since the Nine Zero raids of 2016. Hussain cited the repression of his family, continued persecution of his followers, failing to secure rights for Muhajirs, and Pakistan's rigid and unchangeable system for doing so.

== History == {{Further|MQM militancy|MQM insurrection (1978–1992)|Operation Clean-up|MQM violence (1994–2016)|Operation Lyari}}

=== Founding ===

The first political organization of Muhajirs, called the All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization (APMSO), was founded on 11 June 1978 by Altaf Hussain at Karachi University.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paracha |first=Nadeem F. |date=2012-08-23 |title=Born to run: The rise and leveling of the APMSO |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/743914/born-to-run-the-rise-and-leveling-of-the-apmso |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> On March 18, 1984, the APMSO evolved into a proper political organization—the Muhajir Qaumi Movement.<ref name="AMN">{{cite web|url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA330011996?open&of=ENG-PAK|title=Pakistan: Human rights crisis in Karachi|date=1996-02-01|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=2009-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104073429/http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA330011996?open&of=ENG-PAK|archive-date=2006-11-04}}</ref> It was launched to protect the Muhajir community who perceived themselves as the victims of discrimination and repression by the quota system that gave preference to certain ethnicities for admissions in educational institutions and employment in civil services.<ref name="mafia">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/02/uk.pakistan|title=The Karachi ruling party 'run like the mafia' from an office block in London|last=Walsh|first=Declan|author2=Matthew Taylor|date=2007-06-02|work=The Guardian|access-date=2009-08-02}}</ref><ref name="USC">{{cite web|url=https://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/100101.pdf|title=Pakistan's Scheduled 2008 Election: Background|last=Kronstadt|first=K. Alan|date=2008-01-24|publisher=Congressional Research Service, Govt. of USA|access-date=2009-07-28}}</ref>

=== Late 1986 to 1990 === In its early years, MQM drew enormous crowds, the epitome of which was the rally of August 8, 1986 at Nishtar Park, Karachi.<ref name="thenews">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=167749 |title=25 years of MQM: a critical analysis |last=Peshimam |first=Gibran |date=2009-03-18 |publisher=The News |access-date=2009-08-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806021058/http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=167749 |archive-date=August 6, 2009 }}</ref> Three years into its existence, MQM won the November 1987 local body elections in Karachi and Hyderabad and had several mayors win unopposed.<ref name=AMN/><ref name=thenews/> Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won the highest number of seats in the general election of 1988 and formed a coalition government in the Sindh Province with the help of MQM, which then had a larger mandate in urban Sindh in comparison to PPP whose majority of support came from rural areas of Sindh. A 59-point agreement, called the Karachi Accord, was signed which included statements about protection of the democratic system and political rights, urban development goals, and creating objective criteria for admission to universities and colleges. Within a few months of the agreement, differences surfaced and MQM ministers in the Sindh Cabinet resigned because the agreement was not implemented.<ref name="farhat" /> Thus, the alliance broke up in October 1989 and MQM joined hands with PPP's opponents.<ref name="AMN"/> During these times MQM made mark for public benefit initiatives.<ref name="lyon">{{cite book|last=Lyon|first=Peter|title=Conflict Between India and Pakistan: An Encyclopedia|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2008|edition=illustrated|page=277|isbn=978-1-57607-712-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vLwOck15eboC|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref> Khidmat-e-Khalq Committee, a social welfare initiative, was founded in 1978 which in 1998 transformed into Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF).<ref name="kkfintro">{{cite web|url=http://www.kkf.org.pk/about-kkf|title=About KKF|website=KKF official}}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

=== 1990 to 1999 === In the elections of October 1990, MQM emerged as the third strongest party in the country.<ref name="pmlnalliance">{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=2013-05-25 |title=Timeline: A history of MQM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1027569/timeline-a-history-of-mqm |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> This time, it made its alliance with Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) to establish a provincial government in Sindh whereas IJI formed the federal government.<ref name="pmlnalliance" /> During these times, small factions of MQM separated themselves on the main body of the party,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azfar-ul-Ashfaque |date=2017-06-15 |title=25 years on, MQM-H facing tough fight for political survival |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1339547 |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> and the largest among these factions was MQM Haqiqi ({{langx|en|Truthful MQM}}), which was formed by Afaq Ahmad and Amir Khan.<ref name="UNHCR"/> It was allegedly claimed that MQM Haqiqi was formed by the Sindh/Karachi Government to weaken MQM and was allegedly supported by them.<ref name="UNHCR"/> In the following years, successive governments switched between forming alliances with MQM and fighting against it to establish greater control over Karachi.<ref name="cohen">{{cite book|last=Cohen|first=Stephen P.|title=The idea of Pakistan|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|year=2004|edition=illustrated|page=382|isbn=0-8157-1502-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-78yjVybQfkC|access-date=2009-07-30}}</ref>

From 1992 to 1994, the MQM was the target of Operation Clean-up, The period was regarded as the bloodiest period in Karachi's history, with thousands MQM workers and supporters killed or gone missing. Although more than {{Age in years, months, weeks and days|year1=1994}} to {{Age in years, months, weeks and days|year1=1992}} years have passed since the alleged arrest or disappearance of MQM workers, families of the missing people are still hopeful after registering the cases in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-families-of-missing-mqm-workers-still-hopeful-220|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423193101/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/karachi-families-of-missing-mqm-workers-still-hopeful-220|date=22 Feb 2010|archive-date=23 April 2010|title=KARACHI: Families of 'missing' MQM workers still hopeful|work=Dawn}}</ref> The operation left thousands of people dead.<ref name="farhat">{{cite journal|doi=10.2307/2645723|last=Haq|first=Farhat|date=1999-11-01|title=Rise of the MQM in Pakistan: Politics of Ethnic Mobilization|journal=Asian Survey|publisher=University of California Press|volume=35|issue=11|pages=990–1004|jstor=2645723 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|jstor=2645632|chapter=Ethnicity and State Power in Pakistan: The Karachi Crisis|first=Moonis|last=Ahmar|title=Asian Survey|volume=36|issue=10|date=October 1996|pages=1031–1048|publisher=University of California Press|doi=10.2307/2645632 }}</ref>

The violence gripped urban Sindh politics in the late 1980s after the end of President and Army Chief, General Zia-ul-Haq's era, and finally in 1992, the erstwhile government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif passed a resolution in assembly to launch an operation in Karachi to target 72 'big fishes'. The federal government gave the reasoning behind this operation, known as "Operation Clean-up", as the government's attempt to end terrorism in Karachi and to seize unauthorized arms.<ref name=thenews/> Operation Clean-Up, which ostensibly sought to eliminate all terrorists irrespective of their political affiliation, began in June 1992. MQM perceived this operation as an attempt to wipe out the party altogether.<ref name="AMN"/> Political violence erupted while MQM organized protests and strikes.<ref name=AMN/> The resulting lawlessness prevailed in the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan, which led to the country's president dissolving the National Assembly.{{Clarify|reason=It is true, there is a source, but it is not here|date=November 2025}}

During the 1992 violence Altaf Hussain left the country when a warrant was issued for him in connection with a murder.<ref name="independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/mysterious-world-of-a-movement-in-exile-400437.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/mysterious-world-of-a-movement-in-exile-400437.html |archive-date=2022-06-18 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Mysterious world of a movement in exile|date=15 November 2007|work=The Independent|access-date=2009-06-23|location=London}}</ref> Since then, the political party was run by Hussain from self-imposed exile in London.<ref name="cohen"/><ref name="lawson">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6658231.stm|title= Running Pakistan's biggest city — from London|last=Lawson|first=Alastair|date=2007-05-16|publisher=BBC News, London|access-date=2009-08-03}}</ref>

MQM boycotted the subsequent 1993 general elections claiming organized military intimidation but participated in provincial elections. MQM secured 27 seats in provincial assembly, in comparison to its political rival PPP which won 56 seats. This resulted in PPP forming both the provincial and federal governments.<ref name="ford">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fighting-benazir-by-fax-from-mill-hill-1591149.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fighting-benazir-by-fax-from-mill-hill-1591149.html |archive-date=2022-06-18 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Fighting Benazir by fax from Mill Hill|last=Ford|first=Jonathan|date=1995-07-13|work=The Independent|access-date=2009-08-06}}</ref> Whereas, MQM Haqiqi failed to gain any seats at federal or provincial level.<ref name=AMN/> Political violence gained momentum in 1993 and 1994. During the 1994 violence, heavily political killings were reported between MQM, MQM factions, and Sindhi nationalist groups. By July 1995, more than 1,800 people had been assassinated in Karachi.<ref name="UNHCR"/> In 1997, MQM boycotted the general elections and officially changed the previously maintained name "Muhajir Qaumi Movement" to "Muttahida Qaumi Movement" ({{langx|en|"Immigrant National Movement" to "United National Movement"}}).<ref name=thenews/>

==== Accusations of violence ==== {{Main|MQM Militancy|MQM insurrection (1978–1992)|MQM violence (1994–2016)}}

In the mid-1990s, MQM created widespread political violence and militancy that affected Pakistan's Sindh province, particularly Karachi, the port city that was the country's commercial capital.<ref name="UNHCR"/> In the mid-1990s, the U.S. State Department, Amnesty International, and others accused MQM-London and a rival faction, MQM-Haqiqi, of summary killings, torture, and other abuses. The MQM-A (Altaf) routinely denied involvement in violence.<ref name=UNHCR>{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/414fe5aa4.html|title= UNHCR | Refworld | Pakistan: Information on Mohajir/Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Altaf (MQM-A)|date=2004-02-09|publisher=United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services|access-date=2009-08-26}}</ref>

The party's use of extra-legal activities in conflicts with political opponents had led it to be accused of terrorism.<ref name="Ghosh">{{Citation |first=Teesta |last=Ghosh |chapter=Ethnic Conflict in Sindh and its Impact on Pakistan |title=Ethnic Conflict and Secessionism in South and Southeast Asia: Causes, Dynamics, Solutions |publisher=Sage |year=2003 |page=111}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |first=Adeel |last=Khan |title=Politics of Identity: Ethnic Nationalism and the State in Pakistan |publisher=Sage |year=2005 |page=163}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |first=Ishtiaq |last=Ahmed |title=The politics of ethnicity in Sindh: Changing perceptions of group identity |work=Asian Societies in Comparative Perspective |volume=3 |publisher=Nordic Institute of Asian Studies |year=1991 |page=809}}</ref> The party's strongly hierarchical order and personalist leadership style led to some critics labelling the MQM as fascist.<ref name="Ghosh"/><ref>{{Citation |title=Kashmir and Sindh: Nation-Building, Ethnicity and Regional Politics in South Asia |first=Suranjan |last=Das |publisher=Anthem Press |year=2001 |page=131}}</ref>

==== Jinnahpur Conspiracy ==== {{Main|Jinnahpur}}

During Operation Clean-up, MQM was accused of being anti-Pakistan and of planning a separatist break-away state, Jinnahpur. However, later some senior army officers, Brigadier (Retired) Imtiaz and Retired General Naseer Akhtar, confessed that Jinnahpur was "nothing but a drama" against MQM for the military operation and there was no map of Jinnahpur.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jinnah Pur map was a drama: Brigadier Imtiaz|url=https://nation.com.pk/karachi/24-Aug-2009/Jinnah-Pur-map-was-a-drama-Brigadier-Imtiaz|work=The Nation|date=24 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="truth">{{cite news |url=http://www.geo.tv/8-24-2009/48135.htm |title=Truth in allegations of Jinnahpur uncovered |date=2009-08-24 |publisher=Geo News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827160958/http://www.geo.tv/8-24-2009/48135.htm |archive-date=2009-08-27 }}</ref>

On October 19, 1992, Pakistani newspapers carried an ISPR press release, conveying Army's denial of the knowledge of the Jinnahpur plan. The ISPR, the public relations arm of the Pakistan Army stated, "The Army had no evidence concerning the so-called Jinnahpur plan, it is clarified that the newspaper story in question is baseless. The Army has neither handed over to the government any document or map as reported, nor is it in possession of any evidence concerning the so-called Jinnahpur plan. It is also factually wrong that the matter was discussed at any meeting of the corps commander."<ref name="standing">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=196297&Cat=2&dt=9/3/2009|title=Where PPP, PML-N and MQM stood on Jinnahpur in 1992|last=Abbasi|first=Ansar|date=2009-09-03|publisher=The News|access-date=23 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716124820/http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=196297&Cat=2&dt=9%2F3%2F2009|archive-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> Asif Zardari who was then President of Pakistan is said to have "said in a court premises in Karachi that the Jinnahpur scandal was created to malign the MQM."<ref name=standing/>

=== 2001 onwards === In 2001, MQM boycotted the local body elections but in the 2002 general elections, MQM won 17 out of 272 seats in national assembly.<ref name="ge2002">{{cite web|url=http://ecp.gov.pk/GE/2002/PartiesPostionNA.aspx|title=Detailed Position of Political Parties / Alliances In National Assembly General Elections - 2002|publisher=Election Commission of Pakistan|access-date=2009-08-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130085849/http://www.ecp.gov.pk/GE/2002/PartiesPostionNA.aspx|archive-date=2010-11-30}}</ref>

In the 2008 elections, MQM won 25 seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan and 52 seats in the Provincial Assembly of Sindh.<ref>[http://ecp.gov.pk/Misc/PartyPosition/NAPosition.pdf Party position] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118025047/http://ecp.gov.pk/Misc/PartyPosition/NAPosition.pdf |date=18 January 2013 }} ECP</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sindh Assembly General Election 2008 - Results & Party Position |url=https://www.urdupoint.com/politics/general-election-2008/constituencies/sindh.html |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=UrduPoint |language=en}}</ref>

In 2008, ''Foreign Policy'' released a Global Cities Index which named Mustafa Kamal as Mayor of the Moment, but Kamal gave all credit to Altaf Hussain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keating |first=Joshua |date=November 12, 2008 |title=What FP didn't say about the mayor of Karachi |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2008/11/12/what-fp-didnt-say-about-the-mayor-of-karachi/ |access-date=27 May 2013 |newspaper=Foreign Policy}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=10 November 2008 |title=Mustafa Kamal second best mayor in the world |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/329320/mustafa-kamal-second-best-mayor-in-the-world |work=Dawn}}</ref>

In 2013, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) filed a Rs.5 billion defamation suit against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan at the Sindh High Court for issuing statements against MQM chief Altaf Hussain.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1031331|title=MQM files Rs5bn defamation suit against Imran Khan|work=Dawn|date=July 23, 2013}}</ref>

MQM had also been threatened by Pakistani Taliban.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Declan |last2=Khan |first2=Ismail |date=2013-05-07 |title=Taliban Bomb Kills at Least 20 at a Pakistan Political Rally |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/07/world/asia/taliban-bomb-kills-at-least-20-at-a-pakistan-political-rally.html |access-date=2023-01-02 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherazi |first=Dawn com {{!}} Zahir Shah |date=2012-11-02 |title=Pakistani Taliban threaten to target MQM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/760993/pakistani-taliban-threaten-to-target-mqm |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2014, the Metropolitan Police raided the London home of its leader, Altaf Hussain, on suspicion of money-laundering.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan MQM leader Altaf Hussain arrested in London|work=BBC News |date=3 June 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27680038|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref>

The party had won majority in the local government election of Karachi and Hyderabad and brought its mayor in Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. in 2016, the then-mayor of Karachi, was im Akhtar, had been put behind bars without any charge by an anti-terror court and waited Sindh High Court to grant him bail in order to resume his office as the mayor of Karachi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ecp.gov.pk/frmdynamicnotifications.aspx?id=2|title=ECP — Election Commission of Pakistan|website=ecp.gov.pk|access-date=2016-08-26|archive-date=2021-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422145217/https://www.ecp.gov.pk/frmdynamicnotifications.aspx?id=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> Akhtar was released from detention on 16 November 2016 after getting bail on all 39 cases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/120723-Karachi-mayor-Waseem-Akhtar-released-from-jail|title=Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar released from jail|website=www.geo.tv|access-date=2016-11-16}}</ref> MQM had also brought its chairman and vice chairman in the municipal committee of fourth largest city of Sindh Mirpurkhad.

==== 2018 election boycott ==== MQM and its leader Altaf Hussain decided to boycott elections in 2018 due to military intervention in political affairs. MQM-P which was a separate party now would instead contest for elections using the traditional MQM symbol, the kite.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nation.com.pk/06-Jul-2018/unpredictable-election-results-expected-in-karachi|title=Unpredictable election results expected in Karachi|date=2018-07-06|work=The Nation|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/325298-london-faction-s-election-boycott-can-dent-mqm-s-vote-bank-says-sattar|title=London faction's election boycott can dent MQM-P vote bank, admits Sattar|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en}}</ref> This would be the second boycott of general elections after 1993 and third boycott of all elections including local bodies election in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/battle-karachi-2/|title=The Battle for Karachi {{!}} Newsline|work=Newsline|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727154123/http://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/battle-karachi-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The average turnout of Karachi constituencies was 40.4% in 2018 elections comparing to 55% in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/en/karachi-turnout-july-25-polls-lower-than-2013-elections/|title=Karachi voters' turnout in 2018 polls lower than the 1988 elections|date=2018-07-31|website=ARYNEWS|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-15}}</ref>

== Party structure == The party was led by Altaf Hussain under whose supervision, members of the Rabita Committee (also known as Central Coordination Committee) formulate the party's political program. It consists of 24 members from Pakistan and 10 from London, United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mustafa Kamal, 3 others named in MQM Rabita Committee|url=http://www.thearynews.com/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=44105|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413080602/http://www.thearynews.com/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=44105|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-04-13}}</ref> The party's Karachi-based organizational operations were held under its Karachi Tanzeemi Committee.

On 20 November 2011, Muttahida Qaumi Movement announced the formation of Central Executive Committee with its members drawn from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa, Balochistan and Sindh. Addressing a Press Conference, Farooq Sattar, a senior MQM official, told that the purpose of Central Executive Committee was to assist MQM Coordination Committee and the party in organizational matters, policy-making and preparation of manifesto.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/674649/mqm-announces-names-of-newly-formed-cec|title=MQM announces names of newly formed CEC|work=Dawn|date=20 Nov 2011}}</ref>

MQM had several chapters across the world in the United States, Canada, South Africa, several European countries, and Japan.<ref>{{cite web|website=MQM USA|url=http://mqmusa.com/|title=MQM USA official}}</ref> The heads of MQM North America were former Federal Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Ibad Rehman.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

== Electoral history == {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Electoral history and performance of MQM |- ! General elections!! Voting percentile % !! Voting turnout !! Seating graph !! Presiding Convener of the party !! Parliamentary position |- |1988 || 5.37% ||1,068,868||{{Composition bar|13|207|hex=#C80000}}|| Imran Farooq ||{{color|green|In alliance with PPP}}/{{color|red|In Opposition}} |- |1990 || 7% || 1,172,525 || {{Composition bar|15|207|hex=#C80000}}|| Altaf Hussain || {{color|green|In alliance with PML-N}}/{{color|red|In Opposition}} |- |1993 || Non-participant || – || {{Composition bar|0|207|hex=#C80000}}|| Altaf Hussain || See: Operation Blue Fox |- | 1997 ||4.0% || 764,207 || {{Composition bar|12|207|hex=#C80000}}|| Farooq Sattar || {{color|green|In alliance with PML-N}}{{color|#E62020|In Opposition}} |- |2002 || 3.1% || – || {{Composition bar|13|272|hex=#C80000}}|| Farooq Sattar || {{color|green|In alliance with PML-Q}} |- |2008 || 7.4% || 2,507,813 || {{Composition bar|25|272|hex=#C80000}}|| Babar Ghauri ||{{color|green|In alliance with PPP}} |- |2013 || 5.41% || 2,456,153 ||{{Composition bar|24|272|hex=#C80000}}|| Faisal Sabzwari || {{color|#E62020|In Opposition}} |- |2018 || Non-participant || – || {{Composition bar|0|272|hex=#C80000}}|| Altaf Hussain || See: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan |- |- |2024{{efn|as Independent candidates under the panel name "Wafa Parast"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azfar-ul-Ashfaque |date=2024-02-06 |title=MQM-P in tight spot after London faction backs independent candidates |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1811506 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>}}|| {{n/a}} ||{{n/a}} ||{{Composition bar|0|266|hex=#C80000}}|| Nisar Ahmed Panhwar || {{n/a}} |}

=== Post split election campaigns === In 2017, MQM took part in local bodies by election from Union Committee 46 in Hyderabad, which was vacated by the death of its counsellor, as independent candidate. in that election, the MQM-London supported independent candidate Asif Baig, who had defeated the candidate of MQM-Pakistan by a healthy margin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Has MQM-London unveiled its new election strategy? |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/138105-Has-MQM-London-unveiled-its-new-election-strategy |access-date=2017-04-18 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Controversies == MQM's Party leadership faced widespread arrests after Altaf Hussain's controversial speech and later attack on ARY channel which faced much criticism from the media and government where he had said: 'Pakistan Murdabad' (Death to Pakistan) and later ordered attack on an ARY channel office which faced much criticism from the media and government. In this speech, he also incited the party workers to attack Pakistani media houses, which resulted in street rioting and one death in Karachi. On the orders of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1167706/three-injured-mqm-workers-storm-ary-news-office-karachi/|title=Nine Zero sealed after MQM workers attack media house — The Express Tribune|date=2016-08-22|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-24}}</ref> paramilitary forces immediately sealed MQM offices including Nine Zero. MQM's deputy governor Shahid Pasha, parliamentary leader Farooq Sattar, Sindh assembly opposition leader Izhar-ul-hadan and Rabita Committee members Qamar Mansur, and Member National Assembly and ex Hyderabad Mayor Kanwar Naveed Jameel were arrested.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1168329/three-mqm-leaders-remanded-three-days-rioting-treason-cases/|title=Three MQM leaders remanded for three days in rioting, treason cases — The Express Tribune|date=2016-08-23|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> Farooq Sattar who was released shortly, later disassociated himself from MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain saying his statements were unacceptable and later presented and facilitated resolutions in Federal and provincial assemblies against his controversial speech, Farooq also claimed to strip MQM chief from constitution and powers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/351732-Ratification-of-decisions-by-Altaf-no-longer-requi|title=Ratification of decisions by Altaf no longer required: Farooq Sattar — Pakistan — Dunya News|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2016/08/farooq-sattar-says-mqm-disowned-altaf-hussain-london-secretariat/|title=Farooq Sattar says MQM disowned Altaf Hussain, London Secretariat {{!}} SAMAA TV|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://arynews.tv/en/mqm-pakistan-revokes-membership-of-london-leaders-from-rc/|title=MQM Pakistan revokes membership of London leaders from RC {{!}} ARY NEWS|website=arynews.tv|date=20 September 2016 |access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> The crackdown against MQM took a rapid turn when over hundred MQM Unit and Sector offices had been demolished and many MQM workers rounded up.

On August 21, 2016, according to Election Commission of Pakistan, Nadeem Nusrat and not Farooq Sattar, was the leader of MQM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ecp.gov.pk/P1.pdf|title=Leaders of political parties — ECP}}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> According to Nadeem Nusrat, the "Minus Altaf formula" was not acceptable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://arynews.tv/en/nadeem-nusrat-says-mqm-nothing-without-chief/|title=Nadeem Nusrat says MQM is nothing without its 'chief' {{!}} ARY NEWS|website=arynews.tv|date=20 September 2016 |access-date=2016-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dailytimes.com.pk/sindh/22-Sep-16/mqm-london-sends-packing-farooq-sattar-and-co|title=Dailytimes {{!}} MQM-London 'sends packing' Farooq Sattar and Co|website=dailytimes.com.pk|date=22 September 2016 |access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref>

In 2016, MQM-Pakistan's leadership in the Sindh Assembly declared that it wanted MQM-London's leader Altaf Hussain tried for high treason<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1185720/first-mqm-pakistan-wants-altaf-tried-high-treason/|title=In a first, MQM-Pakistan wants Altaf tried for high treason — The Express Tribune|date=2016-09-21|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref> and also removed Nadeem Nusrat, the second-in-command to head of all the affairs of the MQM in London along with Wasay Jaleel, Mustafa Azizabadi etc.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

On 22 September 2016, MQM convenor Nadeem Nusrat termed the moves of Farooq Sattar against party rules and illegal and emphasized he was an elected governor and dissolved entire party infrastructure including Rabita Committee and ordered mass resignation of MQM parliamentarians from assemblies and to contest new elections on their own.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2016/09/mqm-london-dissolves-rabita-committee-organizational-set-up/|title=MQM-London dissolves Rabita Committee, organizational set-up {{!}} SAMAA TV|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref>

In 2017, it was reported that Nusrat had parted ways with MQM London which was later confirmed in May 2018 by MQM's London based leadership.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 October 2017 |title=Nadeem Nusrat parts ways with Altaf Hussain: reports |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1364205 |access-date=9 December 2021 |work=Dawn (newspaper)}}</ref><ref name="thenews1">{{cite news |date=24 May 2018 |title=MQM-London confirms parting ways with Nadeem Nusrat |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/320668-mqm-london-confirms-parting-ways-with-nadeem-nusrat |access-date=9 December 2021 |work=The News International (newspaper)}}</ref>

In a media conference the spokesman for the United States State Department, John Kirby, stated that US was aware of the arrests of the MQM leaders and was closely monitoring the events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1183187/us-closely-monitoring-arrests-mqm-leaders-state-dept/|title=US 'closely' monitoring arrests of MQM leaders: State Dept — The Express Tribune|date=2016-09-17|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref>

=== Naming controversy === Although media refers to Muttahida Qaumi Movement as MQM-London, MQM had instructed media to use the original name Muttahida Qaumi Movement only<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mqm.org/urdunews/38795|title=متحدہ قومی موومنٹ کو '' ایم کیوایم لندن '' ہرگزنہ لکھااورنہ پکاراجائے ۔ترجمان متحدہ قومی موومنٹ|website=www.mqm.org|access-date=2016-10-24}}</ref> whereas Farooq Sattar led faction had adopted the name MQM-Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mqmpakistan.org/|title=MQM Pakistan|website=MQM Pakistan|access-date=2016-10-24}}</ref>

=== Karachi Baldia Town factory === In 2015 a private garment factory was lit on fire and the flames ignited chemicals that were stored in the factory.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/853534/deadly-factory-fire-activist-says-mqm-men-ignited-baldia-blaze-rangers/|title=Deadly factory fire: Activist says MQM men ignited Baldia blaze: Rangers {{!}} The Express Tribune|date=2015-03-15|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=2018-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref> The Baldia Town factory inferno case took a dramatic turn on Friday 7 February 2015 when a report by the Sindh Rangers showed that the MQM was behind the deadly fire that claimed the lives of at least 258 factory workers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1162049|title=Rangers' report blames MQM for Baldia factory fire|last=Siddiqui|first=Tahir|date=2015-02-07|work=DAWN.COM|access-date=2018-09-22|language=en-US}}</ref> MQM set fire factory to take extorted money from owners.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Husain|first=Irfan|date=2018-03-10|title=MQM: decline & fall|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1394315|access-date=2021-03-14|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2011-09-06|title=MQM pioneered 'bhatta' culture in Karachi: Asma|url=https://nation.com.pk/06-Sep-2011/MQM-pioneered-bhatta-culture-in-Karachi-Asma|access-date=2021-03-14|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Jamal|first=Umair|title=Why the Pakistani State Can't Seem to Figure Out the MQM in Karachi|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/08/why-the-pakistani-state-cant-seem-to-figure-out-the-mqm-in-karachi/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=thediplomat.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=2012 Karachi factory fire an act of terrorism, with MQM involvement, report says|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/2012-karachi-factory-fire-an-act-of-terrorism-with-mqm-involvement-report-says-1.72441816|access-date=2021-03-14|website=gulfnews.com|language=en}}</ref>

In response, on 11 March 2015, Pakistan Rangers carried out a raid at Nine Zero, the headquarters of MQM in Karachi as well as the party’s public secretariat Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall and arrested over 100 MQM activists.<ref name="TNI2">{{cite news |author=Zia Ur Rehman |date=11 March 2020 |title=From Nine Zero to ground zero: a groundbreaking raid that ended MQM's reign of fear |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/627109-from-nine-zero-to-ground-zero-a-groundbreaking-raid-that-ended-mqm-s-reign-of-fear |access-date=2 August 2021 |newspaper=The News International (newspaper) |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Tribune">{{cite news |author=Faraz Khan |date=2015 |title=Karachi Operation - Target Acquired |url=https://labs.tribune.com.pk/ground-nine-zero/chap-1.html |access-date=27 July 2021 |newspaper=The Express Tribune (Tribune Labs)}}</ref>

A documentary film was prepared on Factory fire named '''Discount workers''' in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Discount Workers|url=https://www.oneworld.cz/2020/filmy-a-z/42789-discount-workers|access-date=2021-03-14|website=One World 2020|language=en}}</ref>

== State operations against MQM == === Pucca Qila Operation (26–27 May 1990) === {{Main|Pucca Qila Massacre}}

The Pakka Qila Operation was launched by Sindh Police to target MQM workers in Pakka Qilla Hyderabad. Anywhere from 70–250 besieged people were killed during the operation, which carried on for 275 hours before Pakistan army troops were ordered to move in in order to stop the violence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/281241|title=Hyderabad: MQM's Pucca Qila|date=2007-12-21|newspaper=DAWN.COM|access-date=2017-01-07}}</ref>

=== Operation Clean-up (1992–1994) === {{Main|Operation Clean-up}}

Operation Clean-up was started by late General Asif Nawaz after Jinnahpur conspiracy and Major Kaleem torture case. It was the single largest operation done against MQM and the years when it occurred were widely regarded as Karachi's bloodiest.<ref name="28991-majors-kidnapping">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/28991-majors-kidnapping-jinnahpur-1992-1994-anti-mqm-operations|title=Major's kidnapping, Jinnahpur, 1992, 1994 anti-MQM operations|website=www.thenews.com.pk|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref>

=== 1994–1996 Operation === During the tenure of Benazir Bhutto, interior minister General Naseerullah Babar conducted a second operation against MQM between 1994 and 1996.<ref name="28991-majors-kidnapping" />

Due to serious doubts over credibility of operation due to fake encounters, extrajudicial killings and rise of killings in Karachi,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ND9yNyTpntYC&q=naseerullah+babar+fake+encounter&pg=PA305|title=Democracy in Pakistan: Crises and Conflicts|last=Bahadur|first=Kalim|date=1998-01-01|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|isbn=9788124100837|language=en}}</ref> Benazir Bhutto's government was dismissed by the then President of Pakistan, Farooq Ahmed Laghari primarily charging the issue of Murtaza Bhutto and the killings of MQM workers.<ref name="ABC-CLIO">{{cite book |last=Lyon |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vLwOck15eboC&dq=operation+clean+up+PPP&pg=PA115 |title=Conflict between India and Pakistan : an encyclopedia |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2008 |isbn=978-1576077122 |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |pages=155–120{{clarify|date=August 2013}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/131392|title=Benazir violated rules: Leghari|date=2003-12-28|newspaper=DAWN.COM|access-date=2017-01-07}}</ref>

=== 1998 Operation === In the aftermath of Hakeem Saeed's assassination, federal rule was imposed by Nawaz Sharif in Sindh and an operation was initiated against MQM.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|title=Refworld {{!}} Pakistan: An army operation conducted in August 1998 in Karachi against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists; role of Mujahid Battalion in assisting the army in this operation; MQM members killed|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be8c1c.html|access-date=2020-12-14|website=Refworld|language=en}}{{Dead Link|date=October 2025}}</ref>

=== Karachi targeted action (2012 & 2013–2017) === {{Main|Operation Lyari}}

Due to rise in targeted killing, organised crimes of extortion, kidnapping for ransom and the increased crime rate of the city, the Nawaz Sharif government initiated the Karachi operation in 2013 with the intention of creating peace in the city. Even though the interior minister Chaudhry Nisar claimed that the intentions of the operation were apolitical, there had been claims of systematic crackdowns against MQM.

=== 2015–16 Nine Zero Raids === Due to MQM involvement behind the deadly fire that claimed the lives of at least 258 factory workers<ref name=":1" /> in order to take extorted money from owners,<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> in 2015 MQM's Headquarters, Nine Zero, was raided twice by the paramilitary Rangers and many top officials of MQM were taken into custody.On 11 March 2015, Pakistan Rangers carried out a raid at Nine Zero, the headquarters of MQM in Karachi as well as the party’s public secretariat Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall and arrested over 100 MQM activists.<ref name="TNI22">{{cite news |author=Zia Ur Rehman |date=11 March 2020 |title=From Nine Zero to ground zero: a groundbreaking raid that ended MQM's reign of fear |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/627109-from-nine-zero-to-ground-zero-a-groundbreaking-raid-that-ended-mqm-s-reign-of-fear |access-date=2 August 2021 |newspaper=The News International (newspaper) |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Tribune2">{{cite news |author=Faraz Khan |date=2015 |title=Karachi Operation - Target Acquired |url=https://labs.tribune.com.pk/ground-nine-zero/chap-1.html |access-date=27 July 2021 |newspaper=The Express Tribune (Tribune Labs)}}</ref><ref name="geo">{{Cite web |title=27 MQM workers arrested in Nine Zero raid presented in ATC |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/1557-27-mqm-workers-arrested-in-nine-zero-raid-presented-in-atc |access-date=2 August 2021 |website=Geo TV News website |language=en-US}}</ref> At least 27 suspects were presented before an anti-terrorism court. Rangers claimed that they apprehended nearly half a dozen target killers – including Faisal Mehmood, aka 'Faisal Mota', who was sentenced to death in the murder case of Geo News journalist Wali Khan Babar in 2011 and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, walkie talkies, binoculars and other military gear used by NATO forces in Afghanistan were also seized during the raid.<ref name="Tribune2" /><ref name="geo" />

After Altaf Hussain's controversial speech where he had said: 'Pakistan Murdabad' (Death to Pakistan) and later ordered attack on an ARY channel office which faced much criticism from the media and government. In this speech, he also incited the party workers to attack Pakistani media houses, which resulted in street rioting and one death in Karachi. On the orders of Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, the paramilitary Sindh Rangers immediately raided sealed multiple MQM offices including Nine Zero. On August 22, 2016, the Headquarter was sealed and hundreds of MQM offices were bulldozed.<ref name=":2" /> This 2016 Rangers raid turned out to be a turning point for MQM party or some people call it a beginning of the MQM's end as a political party.<ref name="TNI3">{{cite news |author=Zia Ur Rehman |date=11 March 2020 |title=From Nine Zero to ground zero: a groundbreaking raid that ended MQM's reign of fear |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/627109-from-nine-zero-to-ground-zero-a-groundbreaking-raid-that-ended-mqm-s-reign-of-fear |access-date=2 August 2021 |newspaper=The News International (newspaper) |language=en}}</ref>

==== Aftermath of the raids ==== The 2016 Nine Zero raid was referred to as "the end of the story for the party founder, Altaf Hussain".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resurrection of MQM-Pakistan |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/529037-resurrection-of-mqm-pakistan |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en-US}}</ref> A section of political analysts believed that the situation had already started worsening for MQM when London's Metropolitan Police arrested and detained Altaf Hussain, the party founder, in 2014 for an investigation involving money laundering, which dispelled the impression that he was untouchable and safe in Britain, despite the charges ultimately being dropped due to a lack of evidence.<ref name="TNI32">{{cite news |author=Zia Ur Rehman |date=11 March 2020 |title=From Nine Zero to ground zero: a groundbreaking raid that ended MQM's reign of fear |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/627109-from-nine-zero-to-ground-zero-a-groundbreaking-raid-that-ended-mqm-s-reign-of-fear |access-date=2 August 2021 |newspaper=The News International (newspaper) |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 August 2016 |title=Nisar seeks UK action against Altaf |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1168911/nisar-seeks-uk-action-altaf/ |access-date=2 August 2021 |newspaper=The Express Tribune (newspaper)}}</ref>

In 2015, a senior policeman, had placed the figure of deaths of MQM workers at 1,000, saying a majority of the deaths were extrajudicial killings.<ref name="Extrajudicial Killings">{{Cite web |date=2015-08-10 |title=Extrajudicial killings rise in police crackdown in Karachi |url=https://arynews.tv/extrajudicial-killings-rise-in-police-crackdown-in-karachi/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US |agency=Reuters}}</ref> Three other serving officials confirmed the assessment.<ref name="Extrajudicial Killings" /> In 2015, the HRCP expressed concern over the rise in extrajudicial killings and lack of transparency about the number of MQM activists picked up or later let off.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baloch |first=Saher |date=2015-12-28 |title=HRCP concerned over extrajudicial killings in Karachi |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1229062 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

During Nine Zero raid, MQM worker Waqas Shah was shot by a Ranger's 9mm pistol fire from point blank range. The video evidence released on electronic media confirmed the incident.<ref>{{Citation |last=S.I.M |title=Who Killed MQM Worker Waqas Shah |date=2015-03-11 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCtWaJDI11Y |access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref> Farooq Sattar's coordination officer Syed Aftab Ahmed was killed while in the custody of paramilitary forces. Initially the force denied torture and stated that he died of heart attack but it had to accept after social media publicized videos of torture marks on Aftab's body and autopsy report conforming death due to torture.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-05-05 |title=40pc of Aftab Ahmed's body covered in bruises, reveals postmortem |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1256464 |access-date=2017-01-01 |newspaper=DAWN.COM}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Autopsy report confirms Aftab tortured |url=https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2016/05/autopsy-report-confirms-aftab-tortured/ |access-date=2017-01-01 |newspaper=Samaa TV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Pakistan: Investigation crucial after Karachi political activist tortured and killed in custody |url=http://www.refworld.org/country,,AMNESTY,,PAK,,573028d4a,0.html |access-date=2017-01-01 |newspaper=Refworld |publisher=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees}}</ref> During the second raid on Nine Zero, “Don’t misbehave with the women” were said to be the 25-year-old Syed Waqas Ali Shah's last words to Rangers personnel, who, according to eye-witnesses accounts were pushing aside women who were protesting outside the MQM headquarters (Nine Zero) against the operation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-11 |title=Profile: Waqas Ali Shah left home for Nine Zero, never to return |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/851454/profile-waqas-ali-shah-left-home-for-nine-zero-never-to-return |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

As a result of operation, MQM claimed 67 of its workers had been killed by the Sindh Rangers while 150 went missing and more than 5,000 were placed behind bars.<ref name=":7">Multiple sources:

*{{Cite web |title=Pakistan: Detained 70-year old professor’s health at risk: Dr Zafar Arif |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa33/5413/2016/en/ |access-date=2017-01-01 |website=www.amnesty.org }} *{{Cite web |title=Pakistan: Five political activists at risk of torture |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa33/4506/2016/en/ |access-date=2017-01-01 |website=www.amnesty.org }} *{{Cite news |date=2016-08-31 |title=US concerned about allegations of rights violations in Pakistan |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/us-concerned-about-allegations-of-rights-violations-in-pakistan-3005728/ |access-date=2017-01-01 |newspaper=The Indian Express }} *{{Cite web |title=Human Rights group alarmed at extra-judicial killings of MQM workers by paramilitary force in Pakistan |url=https://www.opednews.com/articles/2/Human-Rights-group-alarmed-by-Abdus-Sattar-Ghaza-Army_Extra-judicial-Killings_Human-Rights-Violations_Human-Rights-Watch-161029-92.html |access-date=2017-01-01 |website=OpEdNews |language=en-US }} *{{Cite web |date=2014-04-30 |title=BBC Urdu Sairbeen (Aaj News) Report on extra judicial killing & enforced disappearance of MQM workers — Video Dailymotion |url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1s4gnv_bbc-urdu-sairbeen-aaj-news-report-on-extra-judicial-killing-enforced-disappearance-of-mqm-workers_news |access-date=2017-01-01 |website=Dailymotion }} *{{Cite web |title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015 |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2015&dlid=252973#wrapper |access-date=2017-01-01 |website=www.state.gov }} *{{Cite news |title=UN notified Pakistani state 3 times for 144 missing MQM workers: UN Human Rights letter |url=http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?437438-UN-notified-Pakistani-state-3-times-for-144-missing-MQM-workers-UN-Human-Rights-letter |access-date=2017-01-01 |newspaper=Siasat.pk Forums }}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} *{{Cite web |last=Wolf |first=Lucien |date=Sep 2015 |title=Pakistan Passes illegal bill |url=http://www.kcwtoday.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/KCW-sept-final-DPS-lo-res.pdf |access-date=17 Sep 2015 |website=kcwtoday.co.uk }}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *{{Cite news |title=UN has acknowledged the occurrence of extra judicial target killing, enforced disappearance of MQM by Pakistani govt and pakistani army, ISI |url=http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?375401-UN-has-acknowledged-the-occurance-of-extra-judicial-target-killing-enforced-disappearance-of-MQM-by-Pakistani-govt-and-pakistani-army-ISI |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102081312/http://www.siasat.pk/forum/showthread.php?375401-UN-has-acknowledged-the-occurance-of-extra-judicial-target-killing-enforced-disappearance-of-MQM-by-Pakistani-govt-and-pakistani-army-ISI |archive-date=2017-01-02 |access-date=2017-01-01 |newspaper=Siasat.pk Forums }} *{{Cite news |date=2016-08-10 |title=Extrajudicial killings rise in Pakistan police crackdown in Karachi |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-police-killings-insight-idUSKCN0QE0WL20150810 |access-date=2017-01-01 |newspaper=Reuters }}</ref>

=== Human rights violations by the state === Targeted action between 1994 and 1996 saw gross human rights violations by the state organizations and by Law enforcement which included randomly kidnapping, extrajudicial executions, disappearance, torture, fake conspiracies, etc.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a85d4.html|title=Refworld {{!}} THE MOHAJIR QAUMI MOVEMENT (MQM) IN KARACHI JANUARY 1995-APRIL 1996|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|newspaper=Refworld|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref>

The speeches and images of Altaf Hussain had been banned by the decision of former Lahore High Court's Chief of Justice and Anti-Terrorism courts had issued arrest warrants of Altaf Hussain numerous times.

Journalists said that targeted operations were only against MQM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x332ful_mqm-is-right-karachi-operation-is-just-against-mqm-arif-hameed-bhatti-senior-journalist_music|title=MQM is Right ! Karachi Operation is just Against MQM. Arif Hameed Bhatti Senior Journalist — Video Dailymotion|date=2015-08-26|website=Dailymotion|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref>

During the 2015 Nine Zero raid, MQM worker Waqas Shah was shot by a Ranger's 9{{nbsp}}mm pistol from point blank range. The video evidence released on electronic media confirmed the incident.<ref>{{Citation|last=S.I.M|title=Who Killed MQM Worker Waqas Shah|date=2015-03-11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCtWaJDI11Y|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref>

Farooq Sattar's coordination officer Syed Aftab Ahmed was killed while in the custody of the paramilitary Sindh Rangers. Initially the Rangers denied torture and stated that he died of a heart attack, but had to accept after social media publicized videos of torture marks on Aftab's body and an autopsy report confirming death due to torture.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1256464|title=40pc of Aftab Ahmed's body covered in bruises, reveals postmortem|date=2016-05-05|newspaper=DAWN.COM|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2016/05/autopsy-report-confirms-aftab-tortured/|title=Autopsy report confirms Aftab tortured {{!}} SAMAA TV|newspaper=Samaa TV|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.refworld.org/country,,AMNESTY,,PAK,,573028d4a,0.html|title=Refworld {{!}} Pakistan: Investigation crucial after Karachi political activist tortured and killed in custody|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|newspaper=Refworld|access-date=2017-01-01}}</ref>

As a result of the operation, MQM claimed that 67 of its workers had been killed by the Sindh Rangers, while 150 were missing and more than 5,000 were imprisoned. Amnesty International, the US State Department, and the United Nations Human Rights Commission had published multiple documents expressing concerns over alleged human rights violations during the targeted operation against MQM.<ref name=":7" />

== Later developments and dissolution of the party ==

=== Altaf Hussain's August 2025 announcement === On 12 August 2025, Altaf Hussain, founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement–London, addressed a global gathering of MQM workers via video link and declared that he was "relieving all party workers of their oath of allegiance to him". He stated:<blockquote>''"For the past 47 years, I have been struggling for the rights of Pakistan’s deprived and oppressed people, especially the Muhajir community. I have worked day and night without a single day off. In this struggle, we have endured the martyrdom of thousands of colleagues, enforced disappearances, displacement, destruction of homes, forced occupation of properties, and countless other sacrifices. My own family have not been spared either. My 28-year-old nephew, Arif Hussain, was hacked to death with an axe. My 70-year-old brother-in-law, Aslam Ibrahmani, was arrested from Karachi, brutally tortured for six months in Adiala jail, and dumped outside in a near-dead state, before he succumbed to his injuries. None of my siblings escaped the ordeal of repeated raids on their homes, forcing them into exile, Despite the martyrdom of thousands of comrades, the anguish of thousands of disappeared colleagues, and the imprisonment of many — including those still in jail — I have concluded that I have failed not only to change Pakistan’s rotten and outdated system, but also to secure the rights of my Muhajir nation. Therefore, from August 10, 2025, I relieve all comrades, including the former coordination committee, convener, deputy convener, and all workers, from the oath of loyalty they took to the movement and to me. They were now free to join any political party they wish, wherever they wish, and wherever they wish. As long as I live, I will continue the movement to achieve rights through social media. Success or failure was in the hands of God."''</blockquote>Hussain recounted past sacrifices, including the enforced disappearance and killing of his brother and nephew.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 August 2025 |title=Altaf Hussain tells MQM workers they are free to join any party |url=https://humenglish.com/latest/altaf-hussain-tells-mqm-workers-they-are-free-to-join-any-party |access-date=12 August 2025 |website=Hum News English}}</ref>

=== Interpretation as party dissolution === Commentators and media outlets widely interpreted the statement as effectively signalling the dissolution of MQM–London as a political organization, owing to the removal of its foundational loyalty structure. The party had always been a top-down organizational structure, the removal of which led many to believe that the party had effectively dissolved and ceased to exist.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 August 2025 |title=Altaf Hussain tells MQM workers they are free to join any party |url=https://humenglish.com/latest/altaf-hussain-tells-mqm-workers-they-are-free-to-join-any-party |access-date=12 August 2025 |website=Hum News English}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=12 August 2025 |title=Altaf Hussain tells MQM workers they are free to join any party |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1929736 |access-date=12 August 2025 |website=Dawn}}</ref>

== References == {{notelist}} {{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading == *Human Rights Watch (HRW). WORLD REPORT 1998, "Pakistan" (Dec 1997), https://www.hrw.org/worldreport/Asia-09.htm#P823_214912 *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20160109021230/http://www.pstimes.com/2012/04/10/mqm-brings-ahead-common-man-in-polls-cj/ "MQM brings ahead common man in polls: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry", ''Pakistan State Times'' (2012 April 10)]}}

==External links== *[http://www.mqm.org MQM Official Website] *[http://www.mqmusa.com MQM USA Official Website] *[http://www.mqmuk.com MQM UK Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205172815/http://www.mqmuk.com/ |date=2019-12-05 }} {{Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan}} {{Pakistani political parties}} {{Pakistan topics}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muttahida Qaumi Movement - London}} Category:Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London Category:Liberal parties in Pakistan Category:Muttahida Qaumi Movement Category:Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPAs (Sindh) Category:Muttahida Qaumi Movement politicians Category:Political parties established in 1984 Category:Politics of Karachi Category:Political parties of minorities in the United Kingdom Category:Political parties of the Indian diaspora Category:Transnational political parties