Only MQM, as political party, raised common men to the status of lawmakers.
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Pakistan has just entered the age of 78. There is an unstoppable continuation of decayed feudal dynasties in the country.solely because every single political party nurtures this menace.
Feudal lords, big land owners, and capitalists have been imposed and allowed to capture the provincial assemblies, the National Assembly, and the Senate. Neither the People’s Party nor the Muslim League (N) ever gave representation to less-privileged but educated individuals from dilapidated socio-economic backgrounds, esp. those are drivers, street venders, etc. When Imran Khan first swept general elections and took oath as the country's premier, even the people he opted to nominate were no true representatives of thedowntrodden people. In Pakistan’s 78-year history, Altaf Hussain remains the only political leader who, regardless of the consequences, raised his voice against the feudal system. He sent doctors, engineers, professors, taxi drivers, and sugarcane juice vendors from poor and middle-class backgrounds into elected assemblies purely on merit, people who could not even afford a banner, let alone the expenses of an election campaign. Because MQM challenged the feudal system and brought the poor and middle class into the corridors of power, the party was targeted by military operations. Thousands of its workers were killed in extrajudicial executions, hundreds disappeared, and Altaf Hussain himself continues to face endless hardships. Many people may not know that in 1995, Imran Khan organized a program in Punjab with General Hameed Gul on the theme of “Completing the Unfinished Freedom.” He requested me to record a video message for the people of Pakistan, especially the younger generation, on this topic. I sent my recorded message, which was broadcast at that event. Even today, I maintain that Pakistan’s independence remains incomplete. The country is still ruled by those trained by and loyal to the British. The people must continue their struggle to free themselves from their control. My message continued to spread. The same Imran Khan who once surrounded himself with landlords and feudal elites, began to change his thinking and took up the struggle for true freedom. People used to say Imran Khan could not spend even a single day in jail, yet he refused to bow before corrupt generals and has now been imprisoned for two years. As a matter of fact, it pleases me to see that Imran Khan has become popular throughout the country. The people of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—who once called me a traitor and anti-state for criticizing the corrupt system and misguided policies of the military establishment, have now understood the truth. They too have risen against the rule of the generals and are saying that Pakistan must be freed from the grip of landlords and feudal lords. As a result of this awakening, a young man from the poor and middle class, Sohail Afridi, has been made the Chief Minister of KP. Till date, the entire system of Pakistan is being snared. The President and Prime Minister have no real power. For example, when Chief Minister KPK Sohail Afridi went to meet Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called to congratulate him. Sohail Afridi requested that the Prime Minister arrange a meeting with his leader, Imran Khan. Shehbaz Sharif replied that he would “ask for permission and then inform him,” revealing that even the Prime Minister is a servant who cannot act without his master’s consent. Sadly, the Chief Minister Sohail Afridi went to Adiala Jail several times but was never allowed to meet Imran Khan. He even filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court, but despite court orders, the meeting was still not permitted. Such actions are not in the interest of the nation.
I urge Sohail Afridi to remain steadfast and continue serving the people with courage. Post elections February 2024, the second tier of PTI leadership embrassed compromised. They failed to initiate any serious efforts for the release of their leader Imran Khan. They moved from one court to another. Whenever protests were held for his release, they disappeared, leaving their workers behind. True PTI workers must learn to recognize such people. My writings, speeches, and even my image have been placed under an embargo just because of struggle till date. I never give up as spreading of my message stops nowhere. My struggle continues to this day. I say to PTI workers and to the deprived and oppressed people across the country: do not lose hope, and continue your struggle.
Altaf Hussain.
London.
339th public speech via TikTok, October 28, 2025.
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