Latest news with #MQM
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)
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
MQM leader Altaf Hussain urges PM Modi to raise Muhajir persecution at global forums
London [UK], May 28 (ANI): The exiled leader and founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, has made an urgent request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to bring attention to the persecution of Muhajirs (Urdu-speaking migrants from India who migrated to Pakistan after Partition) at international venues. This appeal was made during a live broadcast from London. In his remarks, Hussain commended PM Modi for his public support of the Baloch people, calling it a brave and commendable act. He further urged PM Modi to also lend his voice in support of the Muhajir community, which he claims has faced decades of systemic discrimination, violence, and state-sponsored oppression in Pakistan. 'Since the Partition of India, the military establishment in Pakistan has never completely recognised the Muhajirs as legitimate citizens,' Hussain said. 'The MQM, which has consistently fought for the rights of marginalised communities, has endured multiple military actions, leading to the deaths of more than 25,000 Muhajirs and the forced disappearance of thousands more,' he added. 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 PM 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. (ANI)
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Orangi no more a slum, PA told
Once dubbed as the biggest slum of the Asia, Orangi Town is no more a katchi abadi, said CM's Advisor on Human Settlement Najmi Alam on the floor of Sindh Assembly on Friday. "Orangi Town is no longer classified as a katchi abadi (slum), with the Sindh government investing Rs7 billion in its development," Najmi said. He noted that while the number of slums across the city has grown significantly, the government is committed to regularising these settlements after completing all necessary legal formalities. He made these remarks on Friday during the question-and-answer session related to the Human Settlements Department in the Sindh Assembly. The session, chaired by a Panel of Chairpersons' head Rehana Leghari, also addressed various written and supplementary questions from lawmakers. While responding to questions in the Sindh Assembly, Najmi Alam acknowledged widespread encroachments on drains and water lines. He reported that three employees were dismissed for issuing illegal leases. Responding to MQM member Quratul Ain's question, he said the department has records of slums registered until 2011. Alam highlighted the major issue of illegal construction in slums, mentioning that even the posh Clifton locality has three slum settlements. The government has formed a demolition squad All through the slums, streets would be widened by 10 feet any other structure on the streets would be razed. Answering MQM's Fauzia Hameed, he explained that property ownership is thoroughly verified, maps are prepared, and drone imagery is used before leases are granted.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Orangi Town is no longer classified as ‘slum': Rs7bn uplift package allocated by Sindh govt
KARACHI: In a major urban development milestone, the Sindh government announced that Orangi Town is no longer classified as a slum, allocating an Rs7 billion uplift package for the area to transform one of the city's most densely populated localities. Najmi Alam, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Human Settlement told the Sindh Assembly on Friday during a question-and-answer session that Orangi Town does not fall in slum category of urban settlements, crediting the upgrade to sustained developmental efforts and infrastructural improvements in the locality. However, while celebrating Orangi Town's progress, he voiced concern over the increasing number of illegal slums in the city, warning that the trend presents serious challenges for urban planning and service delivery. 'The Sindh government only regularizes a slum after all legal and procedural formalities are fulfilled,' he said. He also pointed to ongoing issues with land encroachments, revealing that nullahs (storm water drains) and underground water lines have been taken over in various parts of the city. He confirmed that three government officials were recently dismissed for issuing unauthorized lease documents, underlining the government's commitment to fighting corruption and land irregularities. The advisor further noted that the Katchi Abadi Department had failed to initiate planned recruitments, but emphasized that future hiring would be conducted transparently, with local candidates given priority to ensure accountability and community engagement. In response to a question from MQM's Qurat-ul-Ain, he revealed that slum registration records extend only up to 2011, leaving many newer informal settlements unregistered and unregulated. Najmi identified illegal construction as a widespread issue even in upscale areas, noting the presence of at least three katchi abadis in Clifton, a traditionally elite neighbourhood. The Assembly session also focused on Karachi's ongoing water crisis. MQM MPA Shariq Jamal highlighted a sharp reduction in water supply in PS-90, attributing it to the installation of a new eight-inch pipeline. He said residents were protesting due to acute shortages and inconsistent supply. Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Siraj Qasim Soomro explained that Karachi's water distribution system is divided into three categories: settled neighbourhoods, informal settlements, and areas suffering from water theft. He revealed that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) collect payment for only 125 million gallons per day, a fraction of the city's demand. In many katchi abadis, electricity cut-offs prevent pumps from supplying water, exacerbating the crisis. Further attention was drawn to water shortages by MQM's Aamir Siddiqui in Jinnah Town and Jamshed Quarters, and PTI's Wajid Hussain in Landhi. Wajid criticized the Local Government Minister for failing to act against water mafias and said that illegal water connections were rampant. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
