Muttahida Qaumi Movement

Muttahida Qaumi Movement is a Pakistani political party founded by Altaf Hussain in 1984, with its roots in the All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization (APMSO), a student organization at the University of Karachi. The party's initial goal was to represent the interests of Muhajir people, Urdu-speaking people who migrated to Pakistan from India during the Partition of India. The party's ideology was influenced by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Quaid-e-Azam, and the Pakistan Movement. Over time, the party expanded its base to include other ethnic groups, such as Punjabi people, Sindhi people, and Pashtun people, and formed alliances with other parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).

● History

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has its roots in the All Pakistan Muhajir Student Organization (APMSO), which was founded in 1978 by Altaf Hussain and other students at the University of Karachi. The APMSO was initially focused on promoting the rights of Muhajir people and later evolved into the Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) in 1984. The party's early years were marked by violence and clashes with other ethnic groups, particularly the Pathan community, which led to the 1986 Karachi riots and the 1988 Hyderabad riots. The party's leader, Altaf Hussain, went into self-exile in London in 1992, where he remained until his death in 2016. During this period, the party continued to operate in Pakistan, with Farooq Sattar and Babar Ghauri serving as key leaders. The party also formed alliances with other parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), and participated in the 1988 Pakistani general election, the 1990 Pakistani general election, and the 1993 Pakistani general election.

● Ideology

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's ideology is based on Muhajir nationalism, which emphasizes the rights and interests of Muhajir people. The party also promotes Liberalism and Secularism, and has been critical of Islamic extremism and Talibanization. The party's ideology has been influenced by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Pakistan Movement, and it has sought to promote a more inclusive and tolerant vision of Pakistani nationalism. The party has also been supportive of Women's rights and Minority rights, and has fielded candidates from minority communities, including Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs. The party's ideology has been shaped by its interactions with other parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), and the Awami National Party (ANP).

● Organization

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has a complex organizational structure, with a strong emphasis on Discipline and Hierarchy. The party is led by a Coordination Committee, which is responsible for making key decisions and setting the party's overall direction. The party also has a strong network of Sector offices and Unit offices, which are responsible for organizing party activities and mobilizing support at the local level. The party has a significant presence in Karachi, Hyderabad, and other urban centers in Sindh, and has also established a presence in other parts of Pakistan, including Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The party has been supported by a range of Civil society organizations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistani Women's Association.

● Electoral Performance

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has performed well in Pakistani elections, particularly in Urban Sindh. The party won a significant number of seats in the 1988 Pakistani general election, the 1990 Pakistani general election, and the 1993 Pakistani general election, and has continued to maintain a strong presence in the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. The party has also performed well in Local government elections, particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad. The party's electoral performance has been influenced by its alliances with other parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), and has been shaped by its interactions with other parties, including the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F).

● Controversies

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has been involved in several controversies, including allegations of Violence and Extortion. The party has been accused of involvement in the 1992 Karachi riots and the 1995 Karachi riots, and has also been linked to the Target killings in Karachi. The party's leader, Altaf Hussain, has been accused of Money laundering and Terrorism, and has been the subject of several FBI investigations and Scotland Yard investigations. The party has also been criticized for its treatment of Dissidents and Opponents, and has been accused of Human rights abuses. The party's controversies have been the subject of several Supreme Court of Pakistan cases, including the 2011 Karachi unrest case and the 2013 Karachi violence case.

● Split and Legacy

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement split into several factions in 2016, following the death of Altaf Hussain. The party's Pakistan-based leadership, led by Farooq Sattar and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, announced a break with Altaf Hussain and the London-based leadership, and formed a new party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P). The London-based leadership, led by Altaf Hussain's successors, continued to operate as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L). The split has had significant implications for Pakistani politics, particularly in Urban Sindh, and has led to a decline in the party's influence and popularity. The party's legacy continues to be felt, however, and its impact on Pakistani politics and Muhajir nationalism remains significant. The party's split has also been influenced by its interactions with other parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

Category:Political parties in Pakistan