Senior MQM leader attacked with eggs in Karachi

A senior Mutthaida Qaumi Movement leader today faced wrath of angry voters who threw eggs and heaps of rubbish at him during an election campaign in Karachi which has been the party's bastion since 1988.

Farooq Sattar, one of the senior most leaders of the MQM since its inception, was attacked when he visited the Urdu- speaking dominated Martin quarters area.

Even as he started to speak to the media, a group of women threw eggs and rubbish at him. They raised slogans against him and accused him of trying to use them again for his own political gain.

Scuffles broke out among the people as some women tried to defend Sattar who had to leave the area.

 

Viral videos have also surfaced showing irate citizens confronting Sattar and other leaders about the state of the party and accusing them of doing nothing for the city or them and making them feel ashamed.

The MQM, which has dominated all elections held in Karachi since 1988 under the leadership of its founder Altaf Hussain, is now finding it difficult to convince voters to back them in the general elections on July 25th.

"I have voted for the MQM since they first contested the elections in 88 as a major party. Now I don't know what to do they are devoid of any leadership and many of them have bargained and reached understandings with the establishment," said Ahmed Kamal.

With majority of the loyal voters of the MQM remaining undecided, other political parties like the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League N are now trying to take advantage of the uncertainty among the voters.

The MQM led by Hussain has since last August been in the doldrums with its senior leaders sparring and breaking into groups.

Many loyal voters are now still waiting for a final word from Hussain whom they still reckon is their real leader.

The MQM is a secular political party that was founded by Hussain in 1984. Currently the party is split between 2 main factions.

MQM-London faction is controlled by Altaf Hussain from London, while MQM-Pakistan is run by Sattar based in Pakistan.