Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain's announcement of resignation as the party head and its immediate withdrawal was his fourth since January 2007. The last time he announced resignation was in July 2007. On January 5, 2007, Hussain had announced his resignation citing deteriorating health as the reason. He was displeased with the extravagant lifestyle of party leaders. He took back his resignation the same day, after workers pressed him to reconsider his decision. Hussain had also considered resigning in March 2007. He announced resignation again on June 11, 2007, again citing health problems, while addressing a gathering of supporters by telephone. In 2005, he offered to quit six times for similar reasons. Following what was called “immense pressure” from within the MQM and demands to review his decision to step down as party chief, Hussain withdrew his resignation about an hour after he announced it Friday night, saying that he was prepared to offer unconditional friendship to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif. “Even if Sharif chooses to curse at me, I offer him my unconditional friendship,” he told several hundred MQM supporters, leaders and Rabita (coordination) Committee members at the MQM headquarters Nine-Zero Karachi by phone from London. “I am even prepared to join the PML-N to keep the peace.” Hussain said that the MQM Legal Aid Committee had been targeted. He said the committee members had been staging a peaceful demonstration, but opponent lawyers attacked them without provocation. “After the violent riots erupted in Karachi, I asked Rabita Committee members and representatives to quit their work and restore peace in the city,” he said. “This city belongs to all and everybody is responsible for keeping law and order here.” Earlier Hussain had announced that he was stepping down as party chief in protest against his party leadership's inability to contain the April 9 violence in Karachi. Pakistani expatriates working in the Kingdom also hailed Altaf Hussain's decision. “The decision of the party head was sad and shocked us,” said Mazhar Jamali who works in an advertisement agency in Jeddah. “The party cannot run without the leadership of Altaf Husain. We are sorry about the loss of lives but indeed, MQM workers were the main victims of the incidence of 9 April. And I do not know for what reason these lawyers are mourning separately and praying the absence funeral falsely. We should have fear of God,” he said. Another Pakistani expatriate Attique-ur-Rehman said Altaf Hussain's announcement to resign depressed the people of Karachi and now MQM leaders should focus that where they did mistake. “In fact, media had portrayed wrong to MQM. Media should work honestly, instead of blaming wrong for the killing of lawyers,” said Attique. Ahmed Qureshi, an organizer of Muhibban-e-Pakistan, said the nation needs Altaf Hussain along with his party. “Non- Karachites also believe that Altaf Hussain should hold the leadership and work for Pakistan not merely for Sindh province”. Arif Ali Khan, joint organizer of Muhibban-e-Pakistan said: “There should be a judicial inquiry of 9 April violence. Actually, this is the plan against the conciliation of MQM and PPP,” he said. __
