MQM FOUNDER & LEADER ALTAF HUSSAIN DECLARES HIS ASSETS

London - 12 November 1999

MQM founder & leader Mr. Altaf Hussain has declared his assets. While declaring his assets, he said that his total possession is a second hand 50 c.c. Honda motorcycle worth Rs. 2,900, which he had acquired out of the money he had earned offering tuition to students during his student life. He said, apart from this, he has nothing else to declare as his personal property. In a statement issued to the press, he said that except him, all his brothers and sisters are married and have children. They are educated, engaged in services and live independently. Mr. Hussain said that in 1972, his mother (Late) Khursheed Begum had bought a 120 sq. yds house in Azizabad worth Rs. 14,000. After her death, this house is the joint property of all her sons and daughters; and the said property 494/8 is still under the name of Ms. Khursheed Begum. He further said that before 1972, he along with his mother and other brothers and sisters lived in the area of Jehangir West in a government quarter no. 176-F. He said that this quarter was given to his elder brother Mr Nasir Hussain by the Government, as his entitlement, because he was a first class gazetted officer in the Department of Food, Government of Pakistan. Mr Hussain recalled that on 5 December 1995, Mr Nasir Hussain was arrested along with his son Mr Arif Hussain. For three days, during their illegal detention, they were subjected to brutal torture and on 9 December 1995, they were extrajudicially murdered in cold blood. Mr. Hussain said that his entire family, except himself, including Mr Nasir Hussain were non-political.

Mr. Hussain further said that some newspapers have been publishing table stories that he owns big properties in London and that he lived in a very luxurious palace or bungalow in a very expensive and plush area of London. Mr. Hussain said that he has been living in exile in Britain, where rule of law is established, and the house that he is living in is of ordinary nature and has been acquired on rent. He said the rent of the house is being paid by the party. He further stated that the famous investigative agency of Britain, Scotland Yard and other British Agencies would be fully aware of the details of his residence and the Chief Executive General Parvez Musharraf and other Members of National Security Council could ask the details of his residence without any hesitation from these British Agencies.

Mr. Hussain said that he is the poorest amongst the politicians of Pakistan and his personal possession are even less than a poor labour. He said that despite having no materialistic assets, he considers himself, as the richest person of the world because he has the asset that Almighty Allah has bestowed upon him and that asset is not possessed by any other person in Pakistan. Further elaborating, he said that the asset awarded to him by Almighty Allah is the love and affection of millions of elders, mothers, workers of MQM and the righteous people who despite all the misleading State propaganda continue to love, adore and respect him. He said that people are not only still with him in the righteous struggle but they are continuing to sacrifice their lives and money for the just cause. He said that he always felt very proud of his valuable asset and for this he was most grateful to the Almighty Allah.

In the end, Mr. Hussain advised the members of Central Co-ordination Committee and the MQM Members of the suspended Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assembly to declare their assets so that the international world and the Pakistani rulers could differentiate between the political parties of the country that looted the country and the political party which has honestly served the people and made it its motto to serve the people without any reward, and this will be the party that can change the fate of the country and make it prosperous.