Unidentified persons remove Altaf's pictures from Mukka Chowk

KARACHI: MQM chief Altaf Hussain's pictures and posters were taken down from the party's stronghold areas Mukka Chowk and Jinnah Ground. 

Unidentified persons removed Altaf Hussain's pictures and posters from Mukka Chowk, Jinnah Ground and Nine Zero. Previously, these two places were dotted with pictures of MQM supremo Altaf Hussain. Pictures of Altaf Hussain were also taken down from his residence in Karachi and surrounding areas. The pictures of the MQM chief taken down had been posted there since the last two decades or so. 

However, this act was not limited to Karachi only as unidentified persons also removed Altaf's pictures from certain areas of Hyderabad as well. Pictures of the MQM chief posted on poles and buildings were also taken down in Latifabad no. 6,7 and 8.

Meanwhile, it has been decided to rename Mukka Chowk, located in the stronghold of the MQM.

A notification is expected shortly in this regard. Sources said Mukka Chowk is being named after Shaheed-e-Milat Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first prime minister.

The new name will be Shaheed-e-Milat Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk.

On Monday, MQM chief Altaf Hussain made an inflammatory anti-Pakistan speech in which he instigated his followers to carry out attacks on private news channels. Following his speech on Wednesday, senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar disassociated MQM from Altaf Hussain and stated that decisions would be made by Rabita Committee Pakistan and not Rabita Committee London. 

In another development, the government decided to demolish all unit and sector offices of MQM which have been set up on government land. Sources disclosed that it was decided to remove all offices of the party from government land. It must be borne in mind that most offices of MQM are established on parks or sports grounds.