Altaf Hussain (Urdu: الطاف حسین) (born 17 September 1953, Karachi) is the founder and leader of the Muttahida Quami Movement and is currently on the run and hiding in London-England. It is claimed that he has been given sanctuary by MI-6.

Early Life

Altaf Hussain was born on September 17, 1953 in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. His father, Nazeer Hussain (d. 1967) and mother Khurshed Begum (d. 1985) both belonged to Agra, India. His whole family migrated from India to Pakistan after the creation of Pakistan on August 14 1947, and settled in the neighborhood of "Ibn-e-sena line" in Karachi. Altaf Hussain came from a family of four sisters and seven brothers. Nasir Hussain his elder brother was a government employee and was allotted a small quarter on Jahangir Road and his whole family was moved from "Ibn-e-sena lines". Later in early 1970's Altaf Hussain and his family shifted to a small house of 120 sq yards (1,080 sq.ft.) in Azizabad, Karachi. This small house is known as "nine-zero" and its is the party headquarter of MQM.

He got his primary and secondary education from Government schools. He joined compulsory National Cadet Service Scheme. He was assigned in 57 Balochistan Regiment as soldier # 2642671 after being selected for training. He willfully wanted to join the regular army after the war was over. He passed through the preliminary tests (mostly physical), however, failed the main tests for induction into army (which include psych evaluation, temprament, physical fitness and so forth).

In the seventies he went to USA and illegally drove a taxi there, until he was caught and returned back to Pakistan.

Political Career

Altaf Hussain "bhai" started his political career when he was a student in University of Karachi, where he founded All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organisation (APMSO) in June 11, 1978. APMSO started gaining support of Urdu speaking students Muhajirs and were able to win 92 seats in college elections in 1980. However, APMSO faced a strong opposition from Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, main opponent and student wing of Jamaat-i-Islami. Their main opposition to APMSO was due to its incitement of racial tensions - something which was a first for the area.

1991

Altaf Hussain started taking over the Karachi underworld. During the same time many Urdu speaking (Muhajir) families started accusing Altaf Hussain for raping their family members. One of the most famous cases was the rape of Nazia Hassan. Some of the families openly avowed to kill him. On December 21, 1991 Altaf was attacked but he escaped injuries. It is suspected that this incident was either related to one of the rapes or the underworld. But it shook Altaf's confidence.

1992

On January 1, 1992, faced with criminal charges, imprisonment and death threats from other gangs/criminals of Karachi underworld Altaf Hussain fled the country on the pretext for kidney treatment and never returned. He landed at Saudi Arabia and after one month moved to London - being promised a safe-heaven there.

1993

Altaf Hussain did nothing for the safety of his relatives, leaving them behind helpless and the enemies he had created took revenge upon them. His brother and nephew were killed in cold blood. After the Police operation in 1992 in Karachi, when many of Altaf Bhai's followers (ABSCONDERS) had been treated with justice (killed) as they were wanted as seriel targeted killers of innocent citizens.

Altaf Hussain was given assylum by the UK Government.

Also See

• Afaq Ahmad: Leader of MQM Haqiqi
• Saleem Shahzad