Latest news with #AltafHussain
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh at loggerheads over expansion of defence manufacturer HAL: ‘Inappropriate and worrying'
Exiled MQM leader Altaf Hussain appeals to PM Modi, highlighting Muhajirs' alleged persecution in Pakistan. He urges international support, claiming systemic discrimination, violence, and state oppression against the Urdu-speaking migrant community since Partition.
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Exiled MQM leader Altaf Hussain's urgent appeal to PM Narendra Modi over Muhajirs
Altaf Hussain, the exiled founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), has issued an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take note of the alleged persecution of the Muhajir community. Muhajirs, who are Urdu-speaking migrants from India that settled in Pakistan post-Partition, were the focus of Hussain's plea, which he delivered during a live broadcast from London. Praising Modi's support for the Baloch people, Altaf Hussain said it is a brave and commendable act. He further urged Modi to voice his support for the Muhajir community, which Altaf claims has faced decades of systemic discrimination, violence and state-sponsored oppression in Pakistan. Highlighting the oppression by Pakistan's military establishment, Altaf Hussain said since Partition, Muhajirs have never been acknowledged as rightful citizens of the country. "The MQM, which has consistently fought for the rights of marginalised communities, has endured multiple military actions,' he said. According to him, these actions have led to the deaths of more than 25,000 Muhajirs and has led to the disappearance of thousands more. He also denounced recent occurrences in the United States, particularly a pro-Pakistan event that took place in Dallas, Texas, on May 23. Hussain mentioned that the Pakistani Consul General in Houston, Aftab Chaudhry, showcased a video at the event depicting Altaf Hussain and the MQM as Indian agents, a claim the MQM leader argues is part of a wider disinformation strategy designed to undermine the Muhajir cause. Hussain expressed that Muhajirs have been rendered voiceless and powerless in Pakistan. He urged Modi to highlight the struggles of the Muhajirs at international platforms and to collaborate with global human rights organisations to ensure their safety, dignity, and fundamental rights. "The Muhajirs are unarmed and endure dire living conditions. For over 61 years, they have faced repeated cycles of economic hardship and physical destruction. Their plight can no longer be ignored," he said. (With ANI Inputs)
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Discussion on Islamophobia held in Welsh Parliament
Organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK, the event took place on Thursday, May 15, and was titled Islam & The West: Clash of Civilisations? With more than 80 guests in attendance, the event began with a welcome message from the host, Member of the Welsh Parliament Altaf Hussain, followed by a social experiment video that sparked conversation about misconceptions of Islam. The Islam & The West: Clash of Civilisations? discussion held in the Welsh Parliament (Image: AMYA) The Islam & The West: Clash of Civilisations? discussion held in the Welsh Parliament (Image: AMYA) The dialogue covered topics such as Sharia Law, the relationship between Muslim and British values, and women's rights in Islam. Stephen Hiles, one of the attendees, said: "The event was very informative and far too short as we couldn't go through too much." Another guest, Zac, added: "I would like to see more of such events as they are really important, especially in the current political climate." The Islam & The West: Clash of Civilisations? discussion held in the Welsh Parliament (Image: AMYA) The Islam & The West: Clash of Civilisations? discussion held in the Welsh Parliament (Image: AMYA) The discussion built on the success of a previous Islam & The West: Clash of Civilisations? event held in the House of Commons on March 12. Through events like these, AMYA UK says it aims to bridge communities, tackle prejudice, and promote the true, peaceful teachings of Islam.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City resiliently braves Indian aggression
Having resiliently endured Indian aggression during the past several days, especially during nights, the citizens of Lahore rejoiced after the announcement of a ceasefire on Saturday. Amidst the escalating tensions between Pakistan and Pakistan, the citizens exhibited high morale and continued with their daily routine and work while ignoring the Indian hostilities. Despite witnessing and receiving reports of Indian drone attacks, they did not show any signs of fear. Instead, they chanted slogans against the Indian aggression and warned the Modi government to refrain from such actions. Speaking to The Express tribune, a resident of the provincial capital, Altaf Hussain, shared his experience of hearing about a massive explosion while driving back home after visiting relatives in the DHA at night. Upon learning about the explosion and billowing smoke, the citizens gathered and chanted slogans. He said that before the police arrived, a motorcyclist appeared and tried to take away a part of a drone that had been destroyed. He said he was surprised to see that despite the news of the drone explosion spreading across the city, people did not panic and shops remained open as usual. This was not the first drone explosion in Lahore. Previously, several drones had been spotted in the Bedian area, with a total of eight destroyed in various parts of the city, including one on Ferozepur Road. Markets on MM Alam Road and in Laxmi Chowk, DHA, Johar Town, Township, and other areas remained open late into the night. Citizens continued to visit restaurants without showing any signs of fear. Shopping centres and stores witnessed business as usual, while the roads remained crowded. The schools, colleges and universities were closed for two days and ongoing HSC and Cambridge exams were also postponed. However, the classes are set to resume on Monday. Meanwhile, the police increased security measures to counter drone attacks amid growing Indian aggression. As rumours of drone attacks circulated throughout the day, the deputy commissioner of Lahore issued a notification to counter them and clarified that no order had been issued to stay indoors. Meanwhile, announcements were made from mosques in the border areas, urging citizens not to pay heed to rumours. According to local officials, initial apprehensions among the citizens receded when they saw the Pakistani military fighting valiantly and protecting the country and the nation. When India announced a ceasefire, the citizens of Lahore celebrated by distributing sweets. They also visited mosques and congratulated each other, declaring the devlopment a victory for Pakistan. An elderly resident said the enthusiasm and fervour of Lahore's citizens after enduring the aggression were palpable. Meanwhile, more than 70,000 volunteers across Punjab have completed Civil Defense training in three days. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz noted, "Mock rescue and civil defence exercises are under way in the province." She expressed satisfaction over the community emergency preparedness and response training to better cope with any potential emergency situations in the province. She was informed in a briefing that the duration of the community emergency preparedness and response training had been fixed at four hours. The volunteers are being trained in emergency services and civil defence bomb disposal. Officials added, "Awareness is also being given about the responsibilities of citizens and social media in an emergency situation." During the training, the volunteers learned about rescue and use of medical kits in emergency situations. The volunteers are being trained in methods of controlling blood flow, fracture management and CPR.
The Print
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
'Those involved in heinous and barbaric act must be brought to justice': MQM founder Altaf Hussain on Pahalgam attack
In an interview with ANI, Hussain said that it is hard to reveal the mastermind of the attack as the top Indian officials have not yet disclosed the purpose behind the attack. London [UK], April 24 (ANI): Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain has condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and said that those involved in the 'heinous and barbaric act' must be brought to justice. When asked whether Pakistan is diverting the attention of its people with this terror attack to avoid glare on the fact that it is a failed state, he responded, 'It is very hard to say who is the mastermind of this tragedy until we all don't hear publicly from top Indian officials regarding the purpose behind this horrific attack. One thing is evident: dozens of innocent people have lost their lives, which is very unfortunate. Those involved in this heinous and barbaric act must be brought to justice and shall be punished strictly.' As many as least 26 people were killed in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The attack in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district turned a place once known for its tranquillity into a site of mourning. Altaf Hussain said that Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir's recent use of the phrase Hindus and Muslims as independent nations is derived from the Two-Nation Theory framework. He advised Asim Munir and other senior generals to consider which territories their ancestors resided in during the pre-1947 era. Altaf Hussain also delved into whether Asim Munir's recent speech about Hindu-Muslim divisions and Kashmir being Pakistan's jugular vein was a warning before the Pahalgam attack. Hussain said, 'Asim Muneer's recent usage of the phrase' Hindus and Muslims as independent nations at a convention is derived through the 'two-nation theory' framework, which I have multiple times shunned and have refuted it at different forums. The ongoing Two-Nation Theory debate has persisted for many years, yet the usage of the terms 'Hindus' and 'Muslims' in his speech serves no other purpose than that. The people of the Hindu and Muslim faith have coexisted peacefully in modern India for centuries, and they share neighbourhoods and visit each other's residences regularly. Asim Munir and senior generals should consider which territories their ancestors resided in during the pre-1947 era. The people coexisted as neighbours with Hindus before partition and broke India into two separate territories. Only one united nation known as India existed at that moment without Pakistan or Bangladesh. He said that the British colonial strategies led to the partition thus making this topic an area for debates and disputes. 'During his address, the speaker (Munir) declared Kashmir as Pakistan's 'jugular vein'. His statement is connected by the Indian scholarly writings to recent inhumane tragedy in Kashmir According to media reports, General Qamar Javed Bajwa accepted the Indian claims to Kashmir by maintaining silence over the Article 370 aborgation and secretly entering into a covert 10-year agreement with India which stipulated Pakistan would not wage war during this period. The day India abrogated Article 370, as per Pakistan's claims, should have triggered the arteries and veins of Pakistan(as claimed by Army chief) as through it Jammu & Kashmir merged into the Indian constitutional and geographical domains. Why had the military leadership along with Asim Munir failed to act despite India's strike against Pakistan's 'jugular vein',' he added. Speaking at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, Asim Munir said India and Pakistan differ in every conceivable aspect, including religions, customs, traditions, thoughts and ambitions, reinforcing the two-Nation theory that led to Pakistan's creation in 1947. Munir invoked the 'two-nation theory', which was responsible for the creation of Pakistan back in 1947 and asked the Pakistan citizens to teach their children the difference between the two communities–Hindus and Muslims, which was the basis for the creation of the Islamic Republic. When asked about intel reports claiming that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hamas have been in contact and Hamas playbook was put into action in this terror attack, he responded, 'I have no knowledge about any connection between Lashkar-e-Tayba (The Resistance Front) with Hamas, but from hearsay, it is said that after banning Lashkar-e-Tayba (LeT), they transformed into this group- The resistance front, but I have no proof.' The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of the banned LeT claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted tourists in the Pahalgam area of Kashmir on Tuesday. He said that the attack in Pahalgam does not have any link with the FATF grey list and stressed that the attack was conducted to create more distance between Pakistan and India. Asked about the attack carried out just after Pakistan was removed from the Financial Action Task Force's 'Grey List', he responded, 'The current massacre in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has or does not have any link with the FATF grey list. As I mentioned earlier, it is a very horrific massacre of innocent people to create more distance and infuse flames between Pakistan and India's relationship, which is already fragile.' 'This terror attack is not only good for the relations of both countries but also for the peace of the region. As far as the grey list is concerned, It is notable that Pakistan was put into the FATF grey list and recently got out of it. After this horrific tragedy, Indian media and people are pointing their fingers at Pakistan; it is Pakistan's responsibility to reply wisely and clear its position in front of the international community to avoid its name again on the grey list,' he added. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held a high-level meeting to review the overall security situation in the country, with a specific focus on the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The committee directed all security forces to maintain high vigilance and take all necessary measures to prevent future attacks. The CCS resolved that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack will be brought to justice, and their sponsors will be held accountable for their actions. The government reiterated its commitment to pursuing those who have committed acts of terror or conspired to make them possible, citing the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana as an example of its unwavering stance against terrorism. The CCS met on Wednesday evening under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The CCS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed and a number of others sustained injuries. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
