MQM: What become of it? A brief by New York Times story on MQM and Altaf Hussain

The New York Times has expressed fears that Altaf Hussain’s MQM network of influence and intimidation that stretches from North America to South Africa may now be fraying. In a detailed report by DeclanWalsh, the newspaper said: “For two decades, Altaf Hussain has run his brutal Pakistani political empire by remote control, shrouded in luxurious exile in London and long beyond the reach of the law.” He follows events through satellite televisions in his walled-off home, manages millions of dollars in assets and issues decrees in ranting teleconferences that last for hours — all to command a network of influence and intimidation that stretches from North America to South Africa. This global system serves a very localised goal: perpetuating Hussain’s reign as the political king of Karachi, the brooding port city of 20 million people at the heart of Pakistan’s economy. Read Daily The News