Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Roots

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)

Roots MQM was formed as Mohajir Qaumi Movement in 1984 by Altaf Hussain and Azeem Ahmed Tariq as a party representing the political and economic interests of Sindh’s Mohajir (Urdu-speaking) population.
Altaf and Azeem were students at the Karachi University in 1978 where they had first formed the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Federation (APMSO).

The launching of the APMSO outside the Arts Lobby at the Karachi University, June 1978. The much overlooked reason behind the APMSO’s evolution into giving birth to the MQM is an economic one. According to famous Sindhi scholar, Ibrahim Joyo, ‘Punjabi economic hegemony’ increased immensely in Sindh during the dictatorship of Ziaul Haq(22).
This situation had a negative impact on Karachi’s leading business communities (Memons, Gujaratis and other non-Punjabi business outfits).
In such a situation these communities formed the Maha Sindh (MS) — an organisation set up to protect the interests of Karachi’s Memon, Gujarati and Mohajir businessmen and traders.
MS then encouraged and financed the formation of a ‘street-strong’ Karachi-based party. This party arrived in the shape of the MQM.

Altaf Hussain addressing a rally in Karachi in 1987. The MQM has continued to win the most seats in Karachi across all elections since 1988 – despite the fact that due to some of its aggression against the media and opponents in Karachi, the state conducted at least three concentrated armed operations against it in the 1990s.

Relatives cry over the body of a MQM worker killed during the military operation against the MQM in 1992. After it changed its name to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (in 1998), the MQM began to shed off its ethnic skin.
The MQM supported the Musharraf dictatorship (1999-2008) and took this opportunity to regenerate and reorganize itself after the chaos of the 1990s.
In 2008 it became a coalition partner of the PPP-led regime. Like the PPP and ANP, the MQM has come under direct attack from extremist organizations.
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Electoral History (National Assembly)
• 1988 Election
Seats won: 12 Became part of PPP-led government. Quit in 1990.

Altaf Hussain addressing an election rally in Karachi, 1988. • 1990 Election
Seats won: 15 Became part of PML/IJI-led government. Quit in 1992.
• 1993 Election
Boycotted NA Election.
• 1997 Election
Seats won: 12 Became part of PML-N led government. Quit in 1998.
• 2002 Election
Seats won: 13 Became part of the PML-Q led government.

MQM’s Mustafa Kamal was elected Karachi’s Mayor in 2006. He rose to become one of the city’s most popular officials. • 2008 Election
Seats won: 19 Became part of PPP-led government.

MQM supporters rejoice after the party swept the 2008 election in the country’s largest city, Karachi. Areas of electoral influence: Karachi; Hyderabad (Sindh).
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Ideological evolution Centre-left (1984-88); Centrist (1990-2002); Liberal (2002 - ).
Views on religion Secular. Overtly opposed to radical Islamic groups and thought. Sometimes adopts Sindh’s traditional Sufi Islamic symbolism.

Poster of an MQM rally at the shrine of Sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif in Bhitshah, Sindh. Youth Wing: All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organization (APMSO)

APMSO emblem