MNN (Web-Desk); Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain was admitted to a London hospital on Friday after a sudden deterioration in his health.
In a statement on the party’s official X account, the MQM Central Information Department confirmed that Hussain’s condition worsened, prompting an emergency medical response.
“An ambulance was called, and a doctor dispatched an emergency team to his residence for initial treatment, after which he was moved to a local hospital for further examination,” the statement said.
The MQM Coordination Committee has appealed to party workers and the public to pray for his recovery. London-based senior party leader Mustafa Azizabadi also confirmed the development on X.
Hussain, 71, was hospitalised last month due to a “severe illness” and underwent multiple medical tests. He had previously spent time in intensive care in February 2021 after reportedly contracting Covid-19.
Born on September 17, 1953, in Karachi’s Azizabad, Hussain studied Pharmacy at the University of Karachi, graduating in 1979.
His political career began during his student years when he co-founded the All-Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation (APMSO) in 1978, which later evolved into MQM in 1984 to represent the Urdu-speaking community that migrated to Pakistan after Partition.
Under Hussain’s leadership, MQM dominated urban Sindh politics, sweeping the 1988 general elections and becoming the country’s third-largest political force.
However, his tenure was marred by allegations of violence and militancy — claims Hussain has consistently denied, accusing the state and rival parties of targeting MQM.
In 1992, he went into self-imposed exile in London during a military operation in Karachi, later acquiring British citizenship. From there, he continued to direct MQM affairs and address supporters via televised speeches.
Hussain’s political career suffered major setbacks after controversial speeches in 2013 and 2016, the latter including anti-Pakistan slogans that triggered a crackdown on MQM’s Karachi offices and his residence. Subsequently, MQM’s Pakistan-based leadership distanced itself from him, removing his name from the party constitution.
In 2019, British police charged Hussain with “encouraging terrorism” over his 2016 speech. He was arrested but later released on bail. In February 2022, a 12-member jury acquitted him on both counts after a three-day trial.
