Enemies of MQM want to end the movement: Altaf

KARACHI: Hours after a BBC report claimed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had received funds from the Indian government, party chief Altaf Hussain early on Thursday said that ‘enemies wanted to end the movement’ he started 30 years ago.

Also read: BBC report claims MQM received Indian funding

Speaking to party workers and members of Rabita Committee at Nine-Zero via telephone from London, Hussain vowed to not give up his struggle at any cost.

He said the party was being persecuted through discrimination to tarnish its image so that it cannot regroup.

“We have given a message of peace and love in every era and raised our voice for the rights of the oppressed,” said the MQM chief.

Hussain said he never indulged in corruption otherwise he would have become the richest man of Pakistan by now.

“These are testing times… you can leave me if you want,” he asked his supporters. Upon which, the workers expressed their resolve of not leaving him alone at this critical juncture.

Altaf Hussain is also expected to address his party workers and supporters today at 5 PM.

According to MQM’s official website, the party chief would unfold ‘some sensational disclosures about the current political situation’ at the rally scheduled to be held at Lal Qila ground in Azizabad.

Earlier, the Rabita Committee had rejected all the allegations leveled against it in a report broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Also read: A recent history of BBC Reportage on MQM

“MQM is a peace-loving political party that believes in the unity and integrity of Pakistan,” it said in a statement.

The statement said that the allegations leveled against the MQM were not new.

“MQM was accused of the Jinnahpur Conspiracy in the past and a host of other allegations to blemish its image. All these allegations proved to be false in the fullness of time.”

The committee said that the reporter had broadcast several reports against the MQM in the past. Opponents of MQM used these reports as a tool for scoring political gains and media trial of the MQM.

The new report by the same reporter is a part of the media trial that is going against the MQM for many years.

"We categorically reject all the allegations levelled in this report. We believe that this report is aimed at tarnishing the image of the MQM in Pakistan and throughout the world.”