Altaf Hussain should step down from MQM leadership: Musharraf

He was speaking to ARY News program 11th Hour with Waseem Badami where he said that he was shocked to hear the MQM founder raising slogans against Pakistan, and was of the opinion that he should gradually phase out and handover leadership to someone else.

Musharraf said that the Muhajir community had left their homes to settle in the country, and they could never raise such slogans. He expressed apprehension that apart from the military, India was trying to best to provoke secessionist movements in the country such as in Balochistan, and was probably trying to ignite strife in Karachi as well.

He also expressed fears of the possibility that the top leadership of the MQM could be in contact with the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), but denied that the entire party could be RAW agents. He also denied that Altaf Hussain had ever expressed a desire to visit Pakistan during his tenure.

He termed the year 2007 as the most difficult of his tenure and wished that the year had ever come into his life. He expressed satisfaction over the progress and development but since he had a few more years to fulfill his unfinished agendas.

Musharraf also disclosed that he finished writing his second book and is searching for a publisher. The yet-untitled book is expected to be released next year. The book has been updated on his previous books to include newer chapters on a range of issues including the war on terror. His previous book ‘In the Line of Fire’ was a best-seller.