Soon, the voice of “Hello” will be heard.
MQM Pakistan to give way.
All these people will soon flee the country.
As soon as banners in favor of Altaf Hussain appeared in Karachi, the rumor mill caught fire.
So many mouths, so many stories. But the banners were removed—or rather, taken down—leaving behind countless questions.
A barren womb
Pakistan’s politics is barren, devoid of the ability to give birth. And when someone lacks this ability but still desires offspring, they adopt another’s child. Pakistan’s politics mirrors this. Since the creation of Pakistan, a pattern of adopting politicians has prevailed. Political powers adopt, nurture, and groom politicians, raising or reducing their stature as needed. They elevate some from bureaucratic corridors to the Prime Minister’s residence, only to lead them to the gallows later. Others rise to the premiership while eating “Phajja ke Paaye” in Lahore but fail to prove competent, even after being declared eligible once again.
A tragedy of barren politics
There’s another tragedy with this barren political landscape. When the adopted politician matures and tries to make independent decisions, they either return to where they came from or are sent back. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, and Imran Khan are examples. Those who considered themselves players were not only removed from the team but sidelined entirely.
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Altaf Hussain is one such politician. After becoming “mature,” he was removed and could never return. However, these days, talks of his return are making rounds again. Some recent events in Karachi seem to add some truth to these rumors. Altaf Hussain hinted at political change in December 2024. Analysts at the time speculated that changes in American politics would likely impact Pakistan, and Altaf Hussain might be referring to the same. The world then witnessed how U.S. politics started influencing Pakistan. A close aide of Donald Trump called for the release of Imran Khan, and MQM London also began seeking a window of opportunity in this scenario.
Following Altaf Hussain’s January 2025 statement about change, social media saw widespread reactions. People immediately started discussing his possible return in 2025. Later, MQM London issued clarifications, but recent developments suggest that something is indeed happening behind the scenes.
Underground activities
It’s a fact that MQM London’s underground activities have been ongoing for quite some time, but they have intensified recently. Organizational work is expanding, old members are being contacted, and new recruits are being added. Everyone is optimistic that the voice of “Hello” will soon echo. Efforts are underway on a judicial level as well. However, one question lingers in everyone’s mind: Will the establishment allow MQM London to engage in political activities? While workers lack the answer, a few individuals might know.
There seems to be some thaw regarding Altaf Hussain and MQM London. On December 9, 2024, MQM London observed Martyrs’ Day upon their appeal. For the first time, authorities arrested individuals but did not register any cases and later released the detainees. Similar developments occurred in Hyderabad, where MQM London activists organized rallies. What’s new this time is the display of large banners of Altaf Hussain in the city after nearly nine years. The chosen locations were strategic—near Nine Zero, Altaf Hussain’s residence, and Ayesha Manzil, once considered the epicenter of MQM. Another banner appeared in the bustling commercial area of Burns Road. Additionally, large-scale graffiti bearing Altaf Hussain’s name has surfaced in Karachi and Hyderabad.
Rumors of Altaf Hussain’s return: Will they come true?
One tragedy of Pakistani politics is that every new arrival, in whom people place their hopes, ends up disappointing them to the extent that they start reminiscing about the past. Recently, it was surprising to hear someone nostalgically praising Ayub Khan’s era. Karachi, or Sindh’s urban areas in general, face the same dilemma. Those who were once critical of MQM and welcomed the ban on Altaf Hussain now remember him fondly, looking at Karachi’s current state. On one hand, MQM Pakistan shares the blame; on the other, Pakistan People’s Party plays a major role. PPP’s negligence has turned Karachi into a dilapidated ruin. Once known for its cleanliness drives, Karachi has now transformed into “Kachrachi” (garbage city). Many areas lack basic utilities like water, electricity, and gas. Roads that were once laced with flyovers and underpasses are now riddled with potholes, making it hard to drive even a kilometer smoothly. The under-construction Red Line project on a single road might soon make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
His residents
Returning to Altaf Hussain, Karachi’s residents are beginning to remember him with longing. The situation suggests that whatever is going to happen will unfold in the next 10 to 12 days. MQM London is reorganizing and preparing for a new setup. There is talk of announcing a 10 to 12-member committee, much like in the past, to oversee organizational matters. While two key figures in London will play pivotal roles, sources indicate that an Uber driver in the U.S., with over 24,000 rides under his belt, may also return with significant responsibilities in the new setup. When contacted by phone, this individual expressed concern over the situation in Karachi and Sindh’s urban areas but denied any connections with MQM London. He said he severed ties in 2017 due to disagreements and has had no contact since. “I am not Mustafa Kamal, so I chose to remain silent. If anything happens, I’ll notify everyone through my Twitter account,” he said.
The Uber driver is also aware of the rumors regarding MQM London’s return. He connects it to the shifting dynamics of national politics, saying if it happens, it will not be for love of Ali but out of spite for Muawiyah. He speculated that MQM London might be given space to counter PTI.
A calculated return?
The return of MQM London to counter PTI is one perspective I’ve previously discussed. In Pakistani politics, nothing is impossible. I asked Mustafa Azizabadi, MQM London’s coordination committee convener, about this notion, and he cautiously replied, “We won’t let anyone use us. We have our own cause, and we’re working for it. Changes will soon be visible.” When I questioned him about a possible deal between MQM London and the establishment, Azizabadi denied it and said, “If there had been a deal, no arrests would have occurred on December 9. Circumstances change quickly, but we’ve been working for a long time, and the results are now visible. The banners and graffiti in Karachi show that this city still belongs to Altaf Hussain.” Azizabadi also accused the Bahadurabad faction of MQM Pakistan of feeling threatened by Altaf Hussain’s banners and arranging for their removal.
MQM Pakistan denies Azizabadi’s accusations, claiming they did not remove the banners. A leader stated, “We didn’t remove the banners, nor do we have any reason to do so.”
Whether in London or Pakistan, it’s clear that if anyone is most worried about MQM London’s return, it’s MQM itself. Insiders reveal that after Altaf Hussain’s banners appeared, worried individuals sought guidance and received the response, “The banners are up; take them down. Must you consult us on every move?” As a result, they took down the banners, but the graffiti still remains.
A sudden shift in Karachi’s politics?
If there is any change in Karachi’s politics, one thing is clear: it will happen so abruptly that no one will have time to comprehend it. Much has been brewing beneath the surface for a long time.
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