LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Sunday held British Prime Minister Tony Blair responsible for Karachi violence. Addressing a press conference, he said MQM chief Altaf Hussain was enjoying full rights in UK. "The British government has shown double standards; on the one hand it is fighting a war against terrorism and on the other it has given citizenship to the number 1 terrorist of Pakistan," he said. He said that his party would file a case against Altaf Hussain in London. "He is not representing Muhajirs, but running a fascist party," Imran said. "We will hire lawyers' panel in London to file a suit against Altaf Hussain because he is responsible for the killing of innocent people in Karachi," he said. Imran said that his party was also considering lodging an FIR against rulers for bloodshed in Karachi. Staff report.

Altaf Hussain

Altaf Hussain (Urdu: الطاف حسین) is the leader of the political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), formerly known as the Muhajir Qaumi Movement. Hussain is currently in exile at London due to the fact that he faces criminal charges in Pakistan, and after many years under asylum, has been granted British citizenship.

Murder charges and exile

Altaf Hussain faces several murder charges in Pakistan. Between 1990 and 1992, MQM was alleged to have been involved in widespread terrorist activities, including murder of dissidents, arson, torture and rape. Bhatta (extortion) became so widespread within MQM circles that the army had to intervene.

Political ideologies and reputation

Altaf Hussain credits himself as the first in Pakistan who introduced a new trend in the political culture by giving a non-feudal based political philosophy and forming a political party, which is the commonly associated as a representative of uneducated minorities. Some of his loyal followers still try to run activates, though they are now tightly monitored by ISI and anti-corruption services e.g. NAB.

The government of Pakistan is now fully supporting the activities of MQM, as Mutahidda Quami Movement is an ally in the current government setup in Sindh.

Involvement in Hakeem Saeed's murder

In order to crush this insurgency in urban areas of Sindh, an operation was launched by Pakistan Army in June 19, 1992. Altaf Hussain, the founder of MQM, had already fled to London 6 months prior to the operation in order to avoid prosecution, where he is currently under a self-imposed exile. Warrants were later issued for Altaf Hussain in a case related to the murder of Sindh governor, Hakeem Muhammed Saeed, in which 9 other MQM members were sentenced to death [1]. He was, however, acquitted in another case by the Sindh High Court from charges of alleged kidnapping and torture of an army major in 1991. There are still numerous other criminal cases pending against him.

May 12, 2007 Karachi Riots

The MQM was blamed by opposition parties and Lawyers for instigating violence in Karachi in May 12, 2007 that led to the death of at least 42 people. The violence broke out after MQM held a rally against what it called "˜political jugglery in the name of independence of judiciary'. The MQM denied the claims, though its leader indirectly blamed the former justice. The violence intensified just before sacked Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry flew into Karachi to address to Sindh high court bar Association. He was, however, forced to leave for Islamabad after waiting at the airport for several hours. This is was due the banishment order for his panel of lawyers from the Sindh government.

Horrifying, and yet, incredible scenes were seen on the day including a six-hour shootout on the building of Aaj Television and Business Recorder by MQM's gunmen without any evident sign of police or other law enforcement authorities. Even more surprising is the fact that the gunmen were not wearing any sort of mask or veil. Lawyers, political parties and even media organizations from across the country protested over involvement of MQM workers in attack of Aaj TV.

The government asked one of the investigation agencies working under the federal government about the violence in Karachi on May 12. This agency has confirmed about the involvement of MQM in the violence leaving 42 people dead. According to the Agency Report MQM's top leader assigned 7 of its sectors to completely block road leading towards airport to stop the CJ to enter Karachi and other opposition parties to arrive at airport to greet CJ. When opposition parties attempted to cross hurdles, the MQM activists opened firing on them. That's how the row started that led to 42 people died. Thanks to the private TV Channels who covered most of the events live. Due to the direct involvement MQM most the supporters are angry with their party. Several workers have resigned from MQM across the country. The way MQM reacted on the visit of Chief Justice to Sindh High Court Bar Association; it has further proved that MQM is a terrorist party or in other words a political party with terrorist modus operandi. Some News suggests that UK is also evaluating the allegations against MQM's Leader Altaf Hussain. If proved he will be prosecuted. UK vows that it will not any one to use its soil for planning and executing terrorist activities, as it will spoil the image of UK in the international war against terror.