The Way I See It
An open letter to MQM from a PTI supporter

An open letter to MQM from a PTI supporter

Dear MQM, I'd like to apologise on behalf of Imran Khan, my leader.

Imran Ahmed May 23, 2013

Dear brothers and sisters,

While I strongly condemn the brutal killing of Zahra Shahid Hussain, I would like to take this opportunity as an individual to apologise to the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) supporters on behalf on my leader, Imran Khan's statement.

I doubt my party will issue an apology statement or agree with me so I will speak for myself.

It was incorrect of Imran Khan to point a finger at your supporters without waiting for an inquiry and an investigation to be completed on the senseless killing of Zahra Shahid Hussain.

Apart from the chaos felt in Karachi, it achieved what it meant to and that is to divide our people and parties further and deepen our hatred towards each other.

As a Karachi resident I accept the MQM as a political force in our city. There are many who feel that by pointing at the MQM, it will eventually bring an end to your party and your supporters.

MQM and its supporters are here to stay and I accept that.

My party's struggle for change may not have fully come but real change will only be realised when we start changing ourselves, our behaviour and thinking. As a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter I feel privileged enough that I can publicly disagree with my leader and not feel afraid in doing so.

By writing this letter, I hope to change myself and my thinking for a better Pakistan.

While I stand with my leader and support him, I hope to see a ‘Naya Pakistan’; a Pakistan where I can also stand with you in line and sing together our country's heart warming national anthem.

Pakistan First!

Best regards,

Imran Ahmed

(A PTI supporter)

Follow Imran on Twitter @ahmedi678

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WRITTEN BY:
Imran Ahmed A graduate in Business Management with a minor in Economics from Purdue University USA and is working in Karachi at EFU General Insurance. He tweets @ahmedi678

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (124)

S.S.Ahmad | 10 years ago | Reply I am one of those many Pakistanis

who does not actively support any Political Party.Whilst I do go to cast my vote I always wish I could vote for a person who stands out for his honesty,dedication and integrity. **A true Pakistani.** I still have to see and hear a Leader who talks sense instead of maligning others character trying to gather cheap popularity. Why don

t these leaders have the common sense of promising only what they can really deliver. The day such a leader emerges he will win the hearts of the majority of the people from the Khyber to Karachi. Lets hope and pray for a true Pakistani Leader.*LONG LIVE PAKISTAN*

Salima Sultan | 10 years ago | Reply Dear Brothers & Sisters, Do any of the people knew about the situation of Karachi at the time Gen. Ayub Khan was Chief Marshal law Administrator. Now the other question is what a person need to make terror is weapon, who was the party who bought weapon in Karachi. Jamat-e-Islami, where it came from NWFP at that time and even now.

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Ali | 10 years ago | Reply @Tanzeel: better tell this to your leadership who openly threatened PTI protesters on TV and have been doing terrorism since last 30 years in karachi.

Nadeem | 10 years ago | Reply irrespective of the issue,it's heartening to see a saner voice among the over enthusiastic crowd of PTI. Wish sanity will prevail all around & v work-out our differences instead of putting others down.

Architect Sumaira Abid | 10 years ago | Reply I think not only Mr. Altaf Hussain should apologize but all those MQM leaders & supporters who were clapping at Altaf's words.

Aftab Alam | 10 years ago | Reply Well done Imran Ahmed.......it is a fact that MQM is a reality of Karachi and Pakistan. I do agree that Mr Imran Khan should not respond so quick without knowing the fact. If any one want to challenge MQM they should do this only by political means. Once it was a time in Karachi when Jamat e Islami was the leading party but she was defeated by MQM. If PTI wants to win the heart of karachiers, they should work hard to achieve that by only winning the heart of Karachi people. No military operation is the solution for this or any sort of like this type of adventurism.

meena aziz | 10 years ago | Reply good to see that atleast someone can think irrationally in PTI. i am sharing two news item links for your perusal. while first one tells of sketch making of zehra's killer, the second one is a denial. whats the mystery ? dawn.com/2013/.../attackers-sketch-ready-pti-leaders-murder-fir-register http://dawn.com/2013/05/28/clarification-101/

Khalid Riaz | 10 years ago | Reply Mr Imran u dont have clear idea of what hapening in Karachi U are becoming more than curtious.Had u not heared speech of Altaf Hussain.

SAA | 10 years ago | Reply we know very well that our leaders are corrupt to the core, unfortunately our legal system failed to establish any of them in the court of law. What is needed is to change the system, if we start from elementary stage and start stopping our cars at Red Light, everything will start improving, nation which is not stopping at Red light how can they look in to a bright future. We have to make strict laws and every one must adhered to them. I think gradually people will change, when education brings enlightenment in our lives. We all should pray for the best. SAA

Syed Kashif Haseen | 10 years ago | Reply Imran Khan should must appologize with MQM. This is rediculious to put the statement without any inquiry and it shows senseless thinking to creat hype.

Adil | 10 years ago | Reply Yes Imran khan should apologize to MQM publicly. suspicion are raised when PTI hasnt lodge an FIR against any body of Zehra shahid case, the party has found some evidence against their own people in her killing. we all know Zehra shahid was a momin(Shia) and she was very vocal about PTI pro Taliban policies and links with band outfits. she has better ties with MQM due to her family belonging to MQM. many of her own relatives are MQM Supporters.

Pakistani | 10 years ago | Reply @MQM Supporter: Shabbash.... Apology is the right way to go about !! We have to learn to come to terms with reality! And the reality is that PTI has arrived...and the sooner mqm puts its own house in order the better.. Remember the fish rots from the top! Together & with Imran Khans vision we will transform Karachi into the business hub of Pakistan. The city of lights art & culture. Enough of mindlessness. Let's let peace & sanity prevail. WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY !! Rest assured its the only way. PEACE TO ALL...

MSM | 10 years ago | Reply Although I am not a supporter of PTI but I totally disagree with writer

Ali Ahmed | 10 years ago | Reply @Tanzeel: MQM may not have killed Zahra Hussain but the reason Imran Khan accused Altaf Hussain for the killing is that Altaf openly threatened PTI supporters. Altaf Hussain should have watched his words because someone might have used his words as an opportunity to create a rift between MQM and PTI. If Altaf Hussain had not said such words the killing wouldn’t have happened. Therefore, Altaf Hussain is indirectly responsible for killing due to his threatening words.

Muna | 10 years ago | Reply Yes, and as a PTI supporter I hope you also raise this issue after apologising to MQM: Altaf Bhai's threat that on one order of his, the teen talwar will trun into a real talwar and destroy PTI supporters.

javaria | 10 years ago | Reply what is this man! i was watching the pti darna live on express (urdu) at that time suddenly MQM came over there with weapons and one party memberof pti said to Altaf Huss. plz stop ur persons then these men disappear and pti member say thanks to ALTAF HUss. but after this these men came again and murder innocent life #wt do u think# raise ur voice#accept WT MQM IS DOING

Talha Khan | 10 years ago | Reply Appreciate it! Good to see some sensible person in PTI

MAD | 10 years ago | Reply Anybody with half a brain knows who killed Zara Shahid. Why should IK apologize for telling the truth.

Suhail | 10 years ago | Reply I strongly support the allegations our leader Imran Khan made against Altaf Hussain.

ss | 10 years ago | Reply As a Karachiite i seek apology from Altaf Hussain for threatening me and other PTI supporters protesting on Teen Talwar.

ssw | 10 years ago | Reply Weightless article rather ridiculous..we as pti supporters can't apologize to anyone on the behalf of imran khan coz we can't even judge as what he n his party has gone through these 17 years to make a mark on the country's political map..

shuja ul islam | 10 years ago | Reply i commend your thinking..but few things are just not possible...and u my friend dont know what POWER and CONTROL tastes like...none of these include flexibility..!!

Pakistani Ostrich | 10 years ago | Reply An open comment from pakistani to a PTItians. Shut it! Move on!

jk | 10 years ago | Reply Bravo!! I do not beleive the person like Imran Khan will apologize to take the statement back! However I am just afraid that PTI could turn into the Urban Fuedal... Overall good gesture and this thought process should be takes as a good will gesture. Pakistan Zindabad.

Abid P. Khan | 10 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: "....Here in Pakistan we are just beginning to understand that we can speak our minds & stand by it. Thanks entirely to Imran Khan for encouraging his supporters to speak out BOL K LABB AAZAAD HAIN TERE !! In the first world it comes as your birth right....." . women of Dir you should know, the powers invested in the new King of Dir and FATA, a woman cannot have any birth rights. Be informed, across the border

Syedpk | 10 years ago | Reply @Nebeel, the worst form of discrimination is stereotyping bunch of people, and thats what you are doing here, I am MQM supporter, I often disagree with MQM policies, I hate that there was rigging in this election, just to get 1 or 2 more seats. Is this enough or should I continue ??

Ali tanoli | 10 years ago | Reply @Tabish, Very well said it bro. by the way what kind of discrimination Muhajir facing or faced after partition i think other peoples in pakistan are still facing big time problems if we compares with non urdu speakers to urdu spoken its very clear that karachi white collar jobs occupied manlly by urdu speakers and karachi best devoleped area also occupied by the muhajirs (note; i am born and raised in karachi and i know very well and by the way i got many good friends and family termed relation with urdu speakers) this is something misunderstanding and false propaganda which MQM used and hijacked the city and biggest loosers are also urdu speakers of karachi many of my friend moved to other cities and countries....

MQM Supporter | 10 years ago | Reply Dear PTI, I feel embarrassed that way my leader used abusive language against your leader. I am sorry on behalf of whole MQM and am hopeful that my leader will apologies to Imran Khan for the foul language used. From MQM Supporter

RizwanKhan | 10 years ago | Reply What in the world was the purpose of this article? To lick MQM? When did we not accept MQM as party? A total non-sensical article.

Proud Pakistani | 10 years ago | Reply Hello can anybody tell me why altaf bhai never gives speech using webcam.? England is a first world they surely have the best internet connections and facilities there Rite.

Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Wahab Ashrafi | 10 years ago | Reply Mr. Imran Ahmad - I salute you for your greatness, which will guide many of us, if followed in letter in spirit, for showing our respects to others. May Allah bless you and your parents.

chill maro | 10 years ago | Reply Ignorance is bliss. Good for you Imran sahab Peace to all.

sameer | 10 years ago | Reply @Salman Chaudhary: who the cm of sindh cm sindh controll karachi and sindh

H | 10 years ago | Reply This blog makes me very angry... I am sorry, I am not particularly involved in Karachi life & politics, but this blog is just ridiculous. Speak for yourself, not for the rest of us. I really, really hope this blog was written in bad taste to annoy the general population, and you truly don't believe what you've written. Otherwise, God help you.

Pakistani | 10 years ago | Reply Its great to read minds young & old flexing their GRAY MATTER. Constructive or otherwise is debatable. Here in Pakistan we are just beginning to understand that we can speak our minds & stand by it. Thanks entirely to Imran Khan for encouraging his supporters to speak out BOL K LABB AAZAAD HAIN TERE !! In the first world it comes as your birth right. A piece of advice to Imran Khan is to wake up to the reality that .You are the leader of a whole new generation. .You are a force to reckon with. .You are now carrying an enormous responsibility of transforming the thinking of an entire nation on your shoulders. Everyone in general but all of us - your supporters at PTI follow your every action. Every word uttered is sacred & it should be. That's the privilege & right of a leader. When the mind is spoken with sincerity it's like a breath of fresh air in the stifling atmosphere of corruption & mis governance of epic proportions Having said that, & here is the crunch... along with FREEDOM COMES RESPONSIBILITY! This ability separates the boys from the men... All of us here in karachi responded to IK call for peaceful protest against the mismanagement of the ECP in conducting elections in Karachi & demanded a repoll in 43 polling stations of NA250. So far so good. Then came the reaction from the mqm. Altaf Hussain in his tele address of 12 may 2013 went ballistic. It reeked of insecurity. The threats were uncalled for & unforgivable to say the least. PTI had managed to make inroads into lyari n. nazimabad gulshan to name a few so called mqm strongholds. This was never going to be accepted & made a lot of heads in the party roll. MQM has the unenviable task of putting its house in order or be part of history !! Hello everyone at mqm you can't live & let die ! Eventually you as a party - that started out as a voice of the downtrodden but somewhere down the road lost its way & purpose & turned into a state of the art mafia that began to treat Karachi as its sole inheritance - will disintegerate in the process & a new & better lot will take over. Read some history books to understand that. KARACHI HUM SUB KA HAI AUR YE HUM AAP KO BHOOLNAY NAHIN DENGAY PAKISTAN ZINDA AUR PAINDABAD

sjf | 10 years ago | Reply FINALLY.. somebody from PTI shows some sort of maturity..

Sane | 10 years ago | Reply @Writer It was incorrect of Imran Khan to point a finger at your supporters without waiting for an inquiry and an investigation to be completed on the senseless killing of Zahra Shahid Hussain. Would our police shall come to a conclusion and find the 'real' murders? This shall be hushed-up like many other murder cases, similar to Shahzeb Khan, Hamza and other innocents. I strongly believe that the direction of Imran Khan's finger is correct.

ZR | 10 years ago | Reply Imran Khan is relatively new in politics and at times he is seen as a emotional person, which is not very uncommon for any genuine man. He does not have poker face and tends to show his emotions, regardless of the impact. I'm not saying that this is the right way, as we all know that in politics you need a lot of positive manipulation. In my personal opinion, Imran Khan needs to refine himself now as a political leader representing larger group of people. He has to work on his "Political Communication" and so on. My opinions are neutral and do not support any particular political party of Pakistan.

Sadia | 10 years ago | Reply First thing is that you cannot apologize on party's behalf. Second thing is that everyone knows the reputation of MQM. In my view, you should write a letter and demand an apology from MQM

hammad | 10 years ago | Reply you very right, this is questionable situation that after a while imran has released as breaking who has killed her ??? ridicules, any sensible person can not release this stupid statement as a behalf of party leader ? actual problem this is our weakness that we are emotional nation. without thinking we creates story .. problem is we r not ready to accept our mistakes and does not believes on ground realities. Regards Muhammad hammad

Salman Chaudhary | 10 years ago | Reply Any volunteers for writing an open letter to the people of Karachi on behalf of Altaf Hussain?

Haseeb | 10 years ago | Reply This open letter can be created any way by any one....

Falcon | 10 years ago | Reply @Falcon: ET...wow...so you guys censored the part of my comment that was tied to politiczed law enforcement in Karachi, why are you guys so scared?

Saleem-ul-Haque | 10 years ago | Reply Dear Author : Whatever Imran stated was right. A couple of days back before the tragic incident of Ms. Zahra killing, Altaf Hussain threatened that if any of his stalwarts engulfed in outrage takes some down then the blame should not come on Altaf or MQM. What does it mean? Someone took initiative and took down the poor lady. Imran Khan was right to put blame on him directly. As far as your humble opinion about ignoring differences as you call it mere differences and standing together with them and singing national anthem let me say it loud and clear that these two can not go together, the mindset you represent and the gun-set they possess. They can't tolerate even a tiny share in their hegemony and whoever will try to challenge them they will TAKE THEM DOWN.

Imran Ahmed | 10 years ago | Reply Thank you for your comments: I stand by this letter which I wrote and would like to highlight the following: I have clearly stated in this letter that the views expressed are mine not Imran khan's - 2nd paragraph of the letter " I doubt my party will issue an apology statement or agree with me so I will speak for myself". I was inspired to write this blog because I feel change will only turn to reality when we start looking into our own behaviours & our own thinking. I strongly feel that Imran Khan should have waited for an investigation to be completed before pointing out or holding any party or individual responsible. Isn't that the sensible way? Like I said in my letter; " Apart from the chaos felt in Karachi, it achieved what it meant to and that is to divide our people and parties further and deepen our hatred towards each other". As a PTI supporter I have every right as a citizen to not necessarily agree on every statement the party releases. Pakistan First. Imran Ahmed

hajra | 10 years ago | Reply mister blogger! "PAKISTAN FIRST"...please tell your leader to be original first. This is and has been the concluding statement of President Musharraf.If PTI is using other people's lines, atleast give them credit!! instead of calling them names....and leader...hmmmm leader of what exactly??

Ammar Shafique | 10 years ago | Reply Its 10:am in the morning and your "open letter" has spoiled my mood in the morning

Fahad Hafeez | 10 years ago | Reply Good bold writeup, If PTI is not like MQM and are in the rite path then it should not hurt to accept their mistake, pointing fingers doesn't solves anything, even in the court of law you need evidence verbal statements don't account for murder. Its just playing the blame game and it doesnt helps any-one.

Majid | 10 years ago | Reply Some faul play is appreant.Such utterances of Imran are out come of his closeness with J I and Monarrwar Husain.Previously too Imran at time of APC in London had adobted similar posture Such utterance from Imran reflects childish behaviour

Qadir Baksh | 10 years ago | Reply Clearly the writer seems to be more of an MQM supporter than a PTI one, despite risible continual attempts to show he's an Insafian.

Na-maloom | 10 years ago | Reply First IK hasn't held responsible MQM for Zahra Hussain murder..... Secondly after all this if IK was pointed MQM responsible for Zahra Hussain murder, then you think Ik should apologize to MQM for accusing them.... Doesn't make any sense bro :)

Ali | 10 years ago | Reply No ! Completely disagree with you my fellow friend ! After that Our Leader didnt did wrong ! but I am happy to see that u r free to share ur opinion . . Regards ali Proud to be a supporter of #PTI and #NayaPakistan

Rabi | 10 years ago | Reply @Karachiwala: You have been living in US for the past 7 years , no doubt you have no idea what's going on in Karachi!

Ahsan | 10 years ago | Reply Well Karachi is their birth right, damn right it's our birth right cause we were born in Karachi, not in mainwali @Tooba:

mmkhanz | 10 years ago | Reply I m urdu speaking and I hate mqm Because me and my whole family members are ex supporter of mqm But now we hate mqm alot just because of the involvement of mqm members in killing and harassing the peoples in the city All of u my karachities friends u know well about mqm About fitra,KHAAL,BHATTA, ETC MOST OF U KNOWS BETTER THAN ME It is humble request to all of you to make your voice loud against this thugs And p/z contribute your share in making of naya pakistan Me and my whole family is now the supporter of pti and its your time to bring change bro. ...... Kon bachaeeyyyy ga Pakistan imraaaaan khaaaan imraaan khaaan strong text

Waseem Haqqie | 10 years ago | Reply ![alt text][1] * [1]: http://Great initiative-This is the spirit needed in the political parties. Needed badly in other political parties also.Party leaders are also human beings-commit mistakes.

Rafay Bin Ali | 10 years ago | Reply Your intent is honorable, sir. And thanks for having realized the blunder on part of your politician Mr. Imran Khan. However, I have one question. I agree with the premise that we would have to change ourselves. We are the ones who would need to travel to that change by change ourselves individually. AGREED! However, the question then arises is this: why do we even need PTI then whose campaign is naya pakistan and all?? Get rid of PTI. We will change ourselves and everything would be naya naya :) Just a thought, not meant to incite sir :)

mohammad | 10 years ago | Reply @Tooba: without exageration, if any party has done good, let us accept it. if any party has done bad let us accept it. NO DIFFERENCE ON LANGUAGE LINES.

Fahad Raza | 10 years ago | Reply Dear Author Please if you think that you apology is accepted come out of your home and visit 90. See what happens when you tell you stand with your leader. You may think what your leader is standing up against is right in all ways. It doesnt matter to him if you are apologizing from him cause he ain't its you'r who is afraid. Sincerely A resident neighboring 90. .

Rafia khan | 10 years ago | Reply I am a MQM supporter.....and would like to say (without feeling scared) that I would like to apologize to the people who have been offended. Good to have people like Imran around!

ummm.. | 10 years ago | Reply @Ali: "Before partition, during regime of England, there were people like you who had accepted GORA but there were also people like Jinnah." Well Jinnah also accepted the gora. Unlike COngress leaders who went to jail for decades protesting British rule, Jinnah never went to jail for a day and Allama Iqbal lived on British pension o the end of his life, besides accepting knighthood which clearly showed his loyalty to the British. It is only when it became clear that India WOULD get freedom, that Jinnah sprung into action to get a nation for Muslims.

Tabish | 10 years ago | Reply Being a Urdu speaking living in Karachi, We seem to accept MQM's criminal activities, Ijaradari in Karachi and all wrongdoing caused by them. We have been told by our elders that we, urdu speaking's, are pushed to walls by other majorities and that they are our saviors and we should not say anything against them and close our eyes and don't point out their wrongdoings. We call our-self educated class also, but this is not how educated person thinks. We should not accept their wrongdoings by justifying that others are also doing the same......Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it, Right is right even if no one is doing it....The statement made by MQM leader publicly is the reason for this accusation....and only IK had the courage to accuse them cause no one would do that because they are afraid of them. This accusation also made them to think that they need major changes in their party and accepted their criminal activities....

Anam | 10 years ago | Reply wonder why pti hasnt lodged an fir for zahra apa yet

Bari | 10 years ago | Reply Till now MQM is the representative of Karachi ppls. And I was just going through some comment some says they think karachi is their birth right they got in jahaiz. See the mind set of peoples they accept something for rest of Pakistan and other of Karachi people still they don't digest Karachi walaas.Yes I am a karachi born and I think karachi is my birthright. If any of you lived through the crisis of Bangladesh your memory will be thoroughly waken up. The stage is being set the same way The So Called Pakistanis did'nt give them their rights and i doubt the results here will be the same. Don't blame MQM they are the product of our beloved Pakistanis. I didn't see any one talked about Baluchistan, Karachi is still much in better status and still in control of Pakistan. Further our PM and his party are so fond of INDIA who is one of the biggest enemy of ours yet they hate their own karachi peoples. My realistic opinion which our kids will definitely see Pakistan will shrunk to part of punjab or may be we can also see it in our life. Don't discount army in this game. Cheers just will only be done on the day of judgement.

Falcon | 10 years ago | Reply So, this is my view on it. May be it was unfair of IK to put the blame on MQM. But, let's talk reality now. Being anyone, wouldn't your first suspicion on who might be behind the death of a person based on who was threatening him / her prior to death. Secondly, has the MQM's militant wing killed people in the past?

Rahilshah | 10 years ago | Reply MQM Zindabad

Rana | 10 years ago | Reply Imran Khan don't need to apologize to MQM, because you need read today's CPJ report about Wali Khan Baber everything is written there

afzaalkhan | 10 years ago | Reply The writer says, he doesn't think his party leadership will agree then goes on and apologize on behalf of Imran Khan? Has Imran nominated him to speak on his behalf? I am sure Imran Khan didn't as your opinion when he stated that

naeem kamali | 10 years ago | Reply Brothers and sisters, As a karachiite I fully support mqm and I admire MQM they have struggeled for last 35 years and it isthem who gave chance To 98% deprived people to represent in the parliament. And those who claim theaw and order situation was detoriated in MQM tenure plz must see the news papers from 2002 to 2006 karachi gud.

Zeeshan | 10 years ago | Reply Come out your comfort zone, be brave and face the reality

Tahir | 10 years ago | Reply I am very impressed by the writer, he is realy one who think it first, I am not sure about the reaction of PTI and MQM supporter over this letter, however I firmly beleive that being Pakistanis we all want to make naya Pakistan, MQM peoples also welcomed this change

Bader | 10 years ago | Reply Disguised MQM critic to criticize PTI

Faheem Almas | 10 years ago | Reply Imran Khan's statement was completely logical. He should never, and I hope would never, apologize for his statement.

Reader | 10 years ago | Reply Dear writer, whom you are trying to fool?? i bet you are not supporter of PTI.

Sami Saayer | 10 years ago | Reply so basically you're saying that mr. aa zardari is innocent as cases against him aren't proven either. so is George bush. let's not man's anyone and let na maloom afraad prevail. not to mention MQM leadership has freely discussed sita white for ages. and don't forget the wall chalking against Imran a few years back.

Hasan | 10 years ago | Reply Glad to see some sesible people voicing there Opinion. We value your opinion and welcome your gesture, from an MQM Supporter

Karachiwala | 10 years ago | Reply Dear Imran Ahmed: Although away from Karachi, but as a Karachite i felt the same loss and grief when Zahra Shahid brutally murdered. Just to correct you here, Imran Khan alleged not MQM supporter (Pakistan have media and tv channels for that) but he directly named my Qaid. But I am confident on the part of my qaid altaf bhai that he will tolerate Imran khan's statement, And retract his defamation case. MQM as a political force, has seen many ups and down but none of them bow it down. First, it was hard to establish in a place where JI and PPP was holding major stakes. Then a decade old brutal operation on a pretext of anti-state, which was unique to MQM. And not to mention extra judicial killings of MQM workers and supporters by the Agencies. Let me say it here, we litteraly do not want our qaid (altaf bhai) to risk his live on agencies helm. we have seen ZAB, BB fate. As a political party, PTI is welcome on every inch of Pakistan including in Karachi. And i do not need any proof to show you that. Karachi has political parties from every part of Pakistan, and they do take part in election and collect donations on regular basis. some gets votes, some do not. Karachi has its own political dynamics. IN 2002 MQM lost 7 NA seats, but we did not protested. Farooq sattar himself lost his seat. I hope that one day, you and your party will achieve Naya Pakistan. But advise your party to avoid mimicing Punjab strategy. In Punjab, people take political campaing slogans as fun but in Karachi they usually take a different meaning. I do not need to appologise on my qaid's statements. He as an honorable man, retracted his statements already. Just for your information, that this response is coming from a CUNY (City university of New York) graduate, who is B.I consultant for past 7 years. reside and work in USA. And i am not an active member of MQM. But i do support MQM, and i do follow Altaf Bhai. Danish Ali Ahmad siddiqi147@gmail.com

Ovais | 10 years ago | Reply Imran is not a politician because he is deadly honest. Its time we start becoming one or else those blood soaked corpses will be blamed on you at the day of judgement because u stayed quiet when it was obvious.

Atif | 10 years ago | Reply @ Tooba Thanks for sharing such an informative article.

Anum | 10 years ago | Reply I don't think the purpose of writing this article was to show support or to agree with MQM. Imran Khan and the PTI talk about real change - and part of the democratic way is not to make statements against any organization without official investigation being completed. Also the fact that the writer says he can openly disagree with his political party leadership gives an essence of what PTI is all about. Freedom of Speech. Democracy. This is NOT a PRO MQM. No matter how corrupt our system is we must accept/respect it to CHANGE it.

AHJ | 10 years ago | Reply Everyone knows that MQM is behind all this and those target killers (na malum afrad) in karachi are also the MQM jaylas. Imran has no need to apologize, instead Altaf bhai should apologise for his statements against Imran and PTI!

beenish | 10 years ago | Reply This has to be the most ridiculous article ever written!

amanra | 10 years ago | Reply in PPPs reign, once Ch Parvez Elahi said that if it dont rains for months they will blame us for that cmon not altaf hussain is responsible for everything that happens in karachi well anyways it was a good chance to see real ik ,the arrogant and ignorant one

Nishat A Khan | 10 years ago | Reply While the language used and threats made were not befitting of a leader of a political party, I completely endorse Imran Ahmed's view that as supporters we should not be following "leaders" and agree with their actions blindly. Two wrongs do not make right!!....I have also wondered for some time now that if Imran Khan, PTI believes (rightly so) that they can hold "talks" with (TTP) Taliban then surely IK should apply the same rationale to hold talks and achieve peace in Karachi with MQM...Well done Imran Ahmed you have given Pakistani's food for thought!!

Salman Chaudhary | 10 years ago | Reply @Munawar Ali Shah: Well said!

Infidel | 10 years ago | Reply @Shahnawaz Khan: Wishful thinking. 'UNLEASH THE TROLLS!'

Shah (Berlin) | 10 years ago | Reply To be honest...I am lived my life in Karachi..and MQM under leadership of Altaf is a Mafia...you can keep your apology to you..and dont put PTI's name in it....

Abdul Hameed Sultan | 10 years ago | Reply Zahar Hussain was murdered politically. She had no enimity.Imran Khan pointed to this fact..Actually he did not mean what has been described in the press..Target cleaning in Karachi and different mafias are played in the political wings.Lag of tolerance .and desire to dominate Karachi has brought this situation. Imran Khan has this courage to mobilize the silent voice of the people who wanted to liberate themselves from the dictatorial type of politics The Karachities are fed up from the terrorism and bhataism and want liberation from this.t They want Karachi with the same old tradition of tolerance,equality freedom of movement for every bodystrong text

Proud Pakistani | 10 years ago | Reply @haris This is what MQM starts in Karachi. I am Urdu speaking and what MQM did we fought with every single nation in Pakistan . Pathan Sindhi Baloch Punjabi. Before MQM they all including us living peacefully and doing our jobs. Karachi was the city of lights but now ? What kind of development you are talking about Have you ever been in Lines area , Landhi Malir Korangi ? Just Making few roads doesnt mean anything. A common man in Karachi still suffering no jobs no safty no self respect. I love my city My Country my forefathers had left India for this pure land and i wont allow anybody to destroy it or make it just for one community Karachi is Pakistan. N every Pakistani has the rite to live and work for the betterment. I ask all Karachiites to stand up for their city and reject the forces working against it . They are Dividing Pakistanis destroying them killing them . May Allah swt guide us to the rite path ameen

Ali | 10 years ago | Reply Before partition, during regime of England, there were people like you who had accepted GORA but there were also people like Jinnah.

Kamran Paracha | 10 years ago | Reply The writer has ignored an important point. The continuous threats received by PTI leadership. I'd agree if Imran Khan blamed Nawaz Sharif, but he only blamed those who gave the threats. Secondly, whatever changes you are witnessing in MQM today (dissolution of Rabta Committee etc) is a direct result of PTI's strong stand against MQM

Ahmed Ali | 10 years ago | Reply Imran must needs to say apology words to ALTAF Hussain and MQM, If he is the real HERO other wise he will be treated as the convectional political person who yet to be mature enough.

Bilal Ahmad | 10 years ago | Reply Thats great. Now it is time for a MQM supporter to come out and condemn the words spoken by Altaf Hussain in his speeches. I bet they don't have courage to do that.

Waqas | 10 years ago | Reply Have you been living under a rock?

A True Karachite | 10 years ago | Reply With due respect, Imran Sahib, you seem to endorse the outburst of Altaf Husain which was totally outrageous, an attempt to incite his supporters to take the law in their hands. Is this the Naya Pakistan you want??

Salman Chaudhary | 10 years ago | Reply @haris: I've probably seen a lot more violence and crime in Karachi than you have..... but regardless, its time to move beyond ethnicity based allegiances and justifications. Let us be Pakistanis and think objectively for a change. I've lived in Karachi since the late 60s and well before the formation of MQM..... and therefore have a basis to say that under MQM rule, the law and order situation in Karachi has massively deteriorated and the violence and crime has dramatically increased. Who's to blame? Who should be held accountable?

Shujat Ali | 10 years ago | Reply I think, If Imran khan leader of PTI wants "The Change in Pakistan" or "A New Pakistan " he should apology to MQM. Without inquiry and investigation This type of baseless statement will damage his(Imran Khan) image and reputation. this kind of statements could stand him in the list of ordinary politician.

Kashif | 10 years ago | Reply IK's comments are in response to threat posed by Altaf Hussain. this looks very childish to say why did IK issue this statement. The first question is WHY ALTAF THREATENED KARACHI PEOPLE. hope sanity prevails.

FN | 10 years ago | Reply Completely disagree. Who is he to apologize on behalf of Imran Khan? He hasn't got any idea how Karachiites live in fear. MQM, it's leader threatened. Someone got killed. Naturally it's logical to point fingers at the one who threatened. Silly article. I do NOT apologise, and I'm a PTI supporter.

haris | 10 years ago | Reply @Salman Chaudhary: No wonder your name is chaudry and so would speak against mqm. Citizens of karachi know very well how mqm developed their city, not a single party in the entire history of our country ever brought the kind of development to the city that mqm did. If they were terrorists they wouldnt have done anything for the city when they easily could have when they were in power. But mqm is not full of angels so are the rest and there are violent people in every party of karachi so all of them are responsible, not just one. If you single out mqm you're doing great injustice to the people of karachi.

eAsan | 10 years ago | Reply Exactly, prove yourself to be the supporter of PTI?

shd | 10 years ago | Reply @Shahnawaz Khan: Havent you heard the very famous/notorious statement of MQM?? "Jo Quaid ka ghadar hai wo mot ka haqdar hai"

xtl | 10 years ago | Reply Are you the supporter of PTI?

Munawar Ali Shah | 10 years ago | Reply I have never read a more stupid article in my entire life. If you have any idea about criminal law and liability you would know that incitement to commit an act that is a criminal offence, attaches constructive criminal liability in equal to the person so instigating. Go read up on "abetment" and then come back to me. Altaf being the leader of a party, and in a position of power, because people listen to him should have been more careful with his words. Here's the situation: 1. PTI was peacefully protesting. 2. Altaf went on air to say stuff like "meray aik isharay pay talwaron say chalni kar dain gay, main haath tor doon ga, if something untoward happens i am not responsible." 3. PTI got its way when the ECP announced a repoll. 4. The night before the repoll someone went and murdered a person belonging to PTI leadership. Mind you not in a freak accident but in what appears to be a targeted killing. It remains to be seen whether he will be convicted in the eyes of law for abetment. BUT at the very least he is morally responsible for her death. Imran Khan didnt go and accuse Altaf of calling someone up and telling them to murder the woman. Imran Khan only said he holds Altaf responsible (morally). Altaf should have been more careful with what he says.

Mohammad Tambra | 10 years ago | Reply Imran Ahmed <-- Very Brave and Islamic way 1st bring peace between people and then talk about issue but only dialogue which are the best way to resolve issues if there is any between peoples thinking about each other... Country First then anything else..I hope Imran Khan should do same.. Good Luck Mohammad

Nabeel | 10 years ago | Reply @Syed: i don't think that it is only nonconfrontational policy but a overall policy what PTI has, MQM can not be compared with PTI, i can say whatever i want to, but you are not indpendent being a MQM worker,

Amir Jan | 10 years ago | Reply The poor writer of the letter has to live in Karachi. It is time thugs and murderers are brought to justice. Enough is enough. There should be no place for violence in politics.

Adda | 10 years ago | Reply Any one can write this type of blog and say this I'm a PTI supporter ... very smart !!!

shd | 10 years ago | Reply What he should have written is a complaint against altaf's threatening and abusive language to the British Government. I can only laugh while reading this so called letter by PTI supporter.

Sana | 10 years ago | Reply Honey, why don't you open your eyes, come out of your little shell and see the enormous complaints MQM had previously posed on PTI supporters. Isnt it the most obvious thing in the entire world?!

Salman Chaudhary | 10 years ago | Reply Clearly the author of this open letter has no idea what has been happening in Karachi for the last 20 years or does not care whether the situation that makes Karachi one of the deadliest cities in the world improves or not. Having officially or unofficially run Karachi for the majority of the last 20 years, MQM is directly responsible for the state of affairs in Karachi, the complete breakdown of law and order, and the large-scale violence and crime. Far from containing the violence and crime, its hardly an open secret that MQM itself is responsible for causing much of it. The only apology anyone should be making is to the citizens of Karachi.... apologising that no previous government or political leader has had the courage to confront the man or the organisation responsible for terrorising the population of Karachi. Why are we the only country in the world where a man who's convicted of several murder cases can run a major political party, rule over the largest city in the country, and spread terror throughout it..... all without stepping foot in the country. Its time for everyone to be accountable...... that includes Altaf Husain.

karachite | 10 years ago | Reply Dear Imran, Being just a supporter of PTI you cannot apologize on behalf of the party or its leader. you could only agree or disagree! I guess you wouldnt be able to understand it because you havn't been through it.

Syed | 10 years ago | Reply I a supporter of MQM reciprocate this message.. Pakistan need more people like you who instead of inflaming an issue try to deal with it with calm. PTI got support from KArachiites because of its nonconfrontational politics in Karachi, and it should stick to that.

Mr. M | 10 years ago | Reply Dear Imran Ahmed, Ok, thats your thoughts, you have every right to do what your want or think. Pakistan is suppose to be a free country. Now let me tell you some nonsense of mine. MQM is a reality and the most Dangerous Political organization of Pakistan. If you disagree, i can point out 10 different places in Karachi were you have to say some BS against MQM or Altaf Bhai. I am sure within next two days, we have to right late Imran Ahmed. and for Evidence follow the link. http://cpj.org/reports/2013/05/pakistan-roots-impunity-wali-khan-babar-geo.php?utmsource=buffer&utmmedium=twitter&utmcampaign=Buffer&utmcontent=bufferf347d

Shahnawaz Khan | 10 years ago | Reply WOW!!!... The most interesting part is:

As a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter I feel privileged enough that I can publicly disagree with my leader and not feel afraid in doing so.

I wonder if someone from MQM can dare the same.... :-)

Pakistani | 10 years ago | Reply so none of the mqm supporter wrote article on bhai's statement and asked apology from the whole nation

Tooba | 10 years ago | Reply This is really ridiculous. You're willing to accept their presence in Karachi because they probably haven't done anything to harm YOU directly, or because you haven't been exposed to their terrorist ways. Read this article, it'll send a chill down your spine: http://cpj.org/reports/2013/05/pakistan-roots-impunity-wali-khan-babar-geo.php And also, I request you to step out of your comfort zone. You'll see how beautiful and safe the area around MQM headquarters is, and no doubt that MQM has done a lot for Karachi and is probably the only party that really pays attention to do it, but the very way they do it, it's not something you as a Karachiite should accept and consent to. They think Karachi is their their birthright. They think it's been given to them in jahez. They think they can always have it, irrespective of what people want. Go meet the student wing of MQM, called APMSO and see how they bully and terrorise other students. No really, go. Only then will you say 'okay MQM, you and I have our differences, and so, I do NOT accept that you're here to say.' But in case you do accept it, which you do, you're only validating their beliefs and letting them walk all over you and the rest of us, who really just want a better Pakistan, regardless of who gives it to us.

Danish | 10 years ago | Reply Hope to see an apology letter by an MQM supporter too for their leader's senseless chaotic threats. p.s I wish sanity for our political leaders

Noman | 10 years ago | Reply Outclass blog. Respect to you brother....

K | 10 years ago | Reply The killers will never be found. Got that? Neither will the killers of bhutto or the many MQM leaders that have died. We live on assumptions and thats all we have. The inquiry will just (if pressure is not put on them) find out if the killing was a targeted one or not. Nothing else. Given the partys track record and politics of intimidation along with threats given to ordinary civilians we can safely accuse MQM. You suggest we wait. For how long i and many others ask. For how long?

Maaz | 10 years ago | Reply the right thing @Maaz:

Maaz | 10 years ago | Reply ahan! nice little opening bruv.. pointed the right the thing " division of karachiites".. hope everything goes well in near future.

mm | 10 years ago | Reply Oh pleaseeeee

Tanzeel | 10 years ago | Reply Wish the same sanity prevail in PTI leadership as well.

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An open letter to MQM from a PTI supporter

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