Anti Media activities of MQM

Altaf and his MQM were asked by the government to renounce its policy of press censorship, and publicly declare that it will not use threats and direct or indirect pressure to influence the print media.

Altaf's MQM is perhaps the first "political" party in the world which clamped an across the board censorship on newspapers and kept breathing down the editor neck for more than four years. Hitler had said, "newspapers should not be allowed to ride popular will" Altaf and MQM followed this dictum to a tee. The code of censorship, which MQM designed under the able guidance of Altaf Hussain for the newspaper of Karachi, was impeccably complete. "Important" news items and photographs, their size, length and their exact placement on specified pages(mostly front page) was dictated to the city's newsrooms from Nine Zero, anything, which Altaf did not want published, could not see the light of the day.

MQM's terrorism against the press took its early shape in 1985, by 1987 it had gradually made its presence felt in the newsrooms. any departure from nine - zero's guidelines brought down the Pir's wrath on the reporter, the sub-editor, the editor, the publisher the owner - anyone in any way connected with the production of that particular section of the newspaper. Inadvertent violations sent shivers through the entire newspaper establishment.

Daily Jang, being the largest circulated newspaper of the country, tried to break the shackles in earlier days of the Pir (Altaf hussain) and he threatened that paper "one paper is becoming a party against "Muhajirs", it should take warning(daily Amn April 6, 1987). The Pir's disciples ultimately in Hyderabad lit up 30,000 copies of the paper on June 21, 1987. Thousands of copies more were burnt in Karachi. On June 24, Jang columnist, Nizam Siddiqui, wrote, "Altaf Hussain demands that Jang should: publish his statements and photographs in places proposed by him, and that his opponents views should not be brought into print. No political party or leader has made such a demand in 47 years"

Altaf's reactions have always been aggressive and devoid of any regards for ethics. ask about who persecuted Maulana Salahuddin, editor weekly Takbir, burnt his house, burnt Takbir copies, tried to prevent Takbir's publication from Karachi, and when the Maulana refused to budge, killed him? and every one will say MQM.

An evening newspaper brought out a supplement on the assassination of some opponent of MQM, in which it called him a "Shaheed". The paper had to suspend its publication for several days, and the editor attended hearings at Nine-zero day in and day out. He was finally given the licensed to live, but on a price . until today, this evening newspaper is acting as an official spokesman of MQM.

On November 14, 1988, Altaf served another warning to daily Jang. "if Jang does not change its attitude by 16 November, we will put an end to lit forever"( daily Savera, Karachi)

On march 8, 1989, Jang failed to cover May or Dr Farooq Sattar's wedding to the satisfaction of Altaf hussain. he said, " this has been a source of grief, to us. We will observe a taken boycott of Jang on March 10", Azim Tariq said,  " we appeal to hawkers not to lift Jang on March 10th. And we are telling them in advance" (daily Amn,March 8, 1989)

On the orders of Altaf Hussain and Azim Tariq (the same Azim Tariq which was lately killed on the directives of Altaf Hussain), MQM workers in Hyderabad burnt hundreds of thousands of copies of dailies Jang, The News, Jasarat, Star, monthly Herald and weekly Takbir between March 10 and March 20, 1991. Journalists in Islamabad boycotted the parliliament in protest over these incidents.

Weekly Takbir's offices were ransacked and set on fire on March 22, 1991. The FIR lodged with the Arambagh police station said, "this incident is part of Altaf hussain and Azim Tariq's campaign to terrorize "Takbir and its editor" In the Liaquatabad public meeting, Azim Tariq reiterated Altaf Hussain's  directives that "Takbir" would not be allowed to circulate anywhere in Karachi (weekly Takbir April 4, 1991)

Talking to the journalist in hospital (Abbasi Shaheed) on March 10 Altaf Hussain said, "Dawn is Hatching conspesieries against MQM. Herald  spits; poison against us. Takbir is an agent publication of the Jews. People reserve the right to make newspapers accountable. if the accountability begins, you shouldn't start your press freedom lamentations."

Sarwar editor of Takbir, was harassed and threatened by hooligans at her residence on March 13. The following day, newspaper  hawkers and agents were deprived of their copies and beaten up in several parts of the city. On March 15, Azim Tariq said, "Herald and Takbir will not sell in this city now. This is the people's decision"(daily Amn). Altaf Hussain seconded this on March 16: "from today onwards, people will not read Takbir and Herald, which comes out of the Dawn building. This is our right". He further said, "any newspaper that does not give us proper coverage, will not run"(Daily Qaumi Akhbar). BBC's reporter in Karachi Zafar Abbas, was attacked on March 19.

Journalist held a protest meeting at Karachi Press Club Journalist held a protest meeting at Karachi press club and decided to boycott MQM's programs. On March 20, Altaf Hussain announced his boycott of Dawn, Herald, Star and Takbir.

Altaf Hussain and his MQM cannot bear criticism and difference of opinion and that's why each & every  paper if writes even a single word against Altaf or MQM gets punishment. Amount of punishment depends upon the nature of crime, And these punishments can vary from the burning of newspapers copies to the murder of editors. but the irony of situation is that besides doing these heinous, crimes against media and MQM cries hoarse for its own freedom of expression.