The Research Directorate was unable to find any information relating to the places of birth of family members of Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Altaf Hussain is the son of Nazeer Hussain (MQM 28 Jan. 1999; The News 10 Dec. 1995) and the grandson of Mufti [title used for jurisprudent who issues fatwas] Mohammad Ramzan of Agra (MQM 28 Jan. 1999).

On 25 September 1995 Altaf Hussain's brother-in-law, Mohammad Aslam Ibrahim, 50, was arrested by Azizabad police and Rangers, reportedly without any charge (DWS 1 Oct. 1995). Altaf's sister, Saira Bano, challenged the arrest and detention of her husband in the High Court of Sindh (ibid.), but he was imprisoned for one year in Adiala Jail (Dawn 27 Dec. 1998).

On 5 and 6 December 1995 Altaf Hussain's brother Nasir Hussain, 60 or 62 or 66, and the latter's son Arif Hussain, 28, were reportedly picked up by police, tortured, and killed in police custody; their corpses were found on 9 December 1995 in Karachi's Gadap district (DWS 10 Dec. 1995; The Guardian 11 Dec. 1995; AFP 12 Dec. 1995; Dawn 27 Dec. 1998; MQM 1 Feb. 1999). Both men were reportedly "non political" (MQM 1 Feb. 1999; The News 10 Dec. 1995). Nasir Hussain left behind a widow, a son and two daughters (ibid.).

The Karachi-based English language daily newspaper Dawn reported the alleged 26 December 1998 raid and destruction by security forces of the home of Altaf Hussain's "close relative" Mrs. Rabia Wali in Karachi (27 Dec. 1998), who was later identified by Dawn as one of Altaf Hussain's paternal cousins (2 Feb. 1999). On 2 February 1999 Dawn reported that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had condemned an alleged "recent" raid on Rabia Wali's house.

On 27 January 1999 Altaf Hussain's eldest brother, Nazim Hussain, died at Karachi's Dr. Ziauddin Hospital from pneumonia and head injuries suffered from a fall, leaving behind three sons and a daughter (Dawn 28 Jan. 1999; MQM 28 Jan. 1999).

On 1 February 1999 two of Altaf Hussain's first cousins, Rizwan Qureshi, 28, and Saeed Qureshi, 25, were picked up in Karachi by Khawaja Ajmair Nagri police, released several hours later, allegedly after being tortured (Dawn 2 Feb. 1999; MQM 1 Feb. 1999). Both men are the sons of Abdul Sattar Qureshi and, according to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, are "non political," and were "arrested unlawfully, without warrants (MQM 1 Feb. 1999).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 12 December 1995. "Six Killed as Thousands Attend Funeral of MQM Chief's Relatives." (NEXIS)

Dawn [Karachi] http://www.dawn.com. 2 February 1999. "Altaf's Cousins, Detained, Tortured by police."

_____. 28 January 1999. "Altaf's Elder Brother Passes Away."

_____. 27 December 1998. "Karachi: Residence of Altaf's Relatives Raided."

Dawn Weekly Service (DWS) http://www.lib.virginia. edu/area-studies/SouthAsia/ SAsearials/Dawn. 10 December 1995. Week ending 14 December 1995. No. 1/49. "Altaf's Brother, Nephew Found Dead."

_____. 1 October 1995. "Altaf's Sister Challenges Husband's Detention."

The Guardian [London]. 11 December 1995. "Pakistan Double Murder Inquiry." (NEXIS)

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) http://www.mqm.org. 1 February 1999. "SOS-Lives in Danger: Relatives of Mr. Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of MQM, Arrested by the CIA (Crime Investigation Agency)".

_____. 28 January 1999. "Nazim Hussain Laid to Rest."

The News [Islamabad, in English] http://wnc.fedworld.gov. 10 December 1995. "MQM Leader's Relatives Killed in Karachi-Further on Murder of Chief's Relatives."

Additional Sources Consulted

Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases, NEXIS, WNC.