KARACHI/LONDON: Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain addressed party workers and supporters at the Jinnah Ground in Karachi via telephone on Friday.
During the address however, Hussain expressed his displeasure with party officials and workers and decided once again to part ways from the party he created.
Altaf Hussain said that the Rabita Committee and the workers can decide
By ONLINE
April 17, 2015
KARACHI/LONDON: Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain addressed party workers and supporters at the Jinnah Ground in Karachi via telephone on Friday.
During the address however, Hussain expressed his displeasure with party officials and workers and decided once again to part ways from the party he created.
Altaf Hussain said that the Rabita Committee and the workers can decide how to continue amongst themselves and hung up the telephone.
Tearful party workers at Jinnah Ground appealed to Altaf Hussain to reconsider his decision. After refusing to return to the phone, efforts paid off and Altaf Hussain returned to address his workers.
End of Live Updates
23:15 - Altaf Hussain thanked his workers for their support for him, reaffirmed his resolve to continue speaking up for their rights even if he has to pay for it with his life. He told the audience that one day he will surely be among them. Altaf Hussain said, PTI and JI are spending a lot of money campaigning for the by-election adding that they should give that money to charity. He further said, that both parties have already started complaining of rigging in the upcoming by-election.
23:10 - Changing the tone MQM workers are now charged to prove to their leader that NA246 by-election will be won by his party. Many workers are using the opportunity to appeal to supporters to come out in full force on the polling day.
23:05 - Following an emotional tirade against what Altaf Hussain termed discriminatory treatment towards the Muhajir community and himself, the MQM chief continues to engage with party workers taking turns to reaffirm their commitment to him.
22:55 - MQM chief Altaf Hussain complained that offensive statements were made by JI leadership against him earlier in the day. Adding such harsh statements were previously made against the Muhajir community as well.
22:50 - MQM chief tells party workers that there is no disagreement with any news channel, channel owner or Anchors. Adds, that if unsubstantiated allegations are hurled at him then just as they reserve the right to express their opinions freely, his supporters also reserve the right to express their emotions.
22:35 - Supporters taking turns on the mic are offering praise and support to their party chief who had earlier been unable to hold back his tears and continued his address as he wept.
22:30 - Altaf Hussain told workers that he is also human and gets emotional. Hussain had personal stories with from his youth, ranging from his first love to the assassination of his brother and nephew.
22:25 - Emotionally charged supporters continue to comfort their party chief, after Hussain narrated incidents where he faced ridicule at the hands of powerful forces.
22:15 - An emotional Hussain, claims that law enforcers have not acted against any other political party except and only his house was raided.
22:05 - Upon resuming his address while the MQM Chief did not announce resuming control of the party, a very emotional Altaf Hussain began narrating the difficulties he faced while he was striving to get an education.
Epiphany or Coincidence
Interestingly, a few hours earlier Jamat-e-Islami Amir Siraj-ul-Haq had claimed that Altaf Hussain will resign and claimed that it would be his final resignation which he will not be able to retract. Haq had however claimed the resignation would come on the 23rd of April when by-elections will be held in NA-246 a long time MQM stronghold and home to their party headquarters.
