General information
First Active Year: 1990
Current Name: MQM
Current Name full English: United National Movement
Current Name full native language: Muttahida Qaumi Mahaz
Original Name: MQM
Original Name full English: Mohajir National Movement
Original Name full native language: Mohajir Qaumi Mahaz
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
Name Change: From MQM to MQM
On: 1997-01-01
Conflict issues
Government of Pakistan - MQM
Conflict Goal Issues: The MQM started as a political party to defend the rights of the mohajirs [immigrants] that immigrated to Pakistan when it parted from India. The project recorded the first conflict goal of MQM in 1986 when they warned that if “rights are not given to us, we will use every kind of force”. As MQM became increasingly involved in violence, it also rapidly developed a more comprehensive set of demands. During the period coded this culminated in the 1994 charter of demands published by the party. The 1994 charter of demands called for reforms concerning the electoral system, the ethnic make-up of several administrations (police, local administrations) and generally more rights for the mohajirs. Later, manifestos that are even more elaborate were made after period coded by the project. MQM’s self-proclaimed primary goal throughout the period coded (1986-1997) was defending the interests of the mohajirs. This translated into MQM repeatedly making statements in defense of their civil rights/participation and demands for electoral reform, decentralization and economic reforms.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: The first conflict dynamic issue was coded for 1987 when MQM “charter of resolution” stated that “stranded pakistanies in Bangladesh (biharis) should be accepted as Pakistani nationals and repatriated back to the country”. After MQM’s brief passage in the government of Benazir Bhutto (PPP) in 1989, the numbers of conflict dynamics increased sharply compared to the early years. MQM’s departure of the alliance with the PPP led to increased violence between the two camps. In turn, this lead to mutual accusations of atrocities. In 1992, operation “clean up” came under heavy criticism; MQM repeatedly accused the government forces of committing atrocities, specifically targeting MQM. Throughout the period, the main conflict dynamics issues for MQM were the release of prisoners as well as atrocities committed onto specific subsets of the population, either on ethnic or political grounds. In addition, MQM repeatedly demanded that Pakistani refugees in Bangladesh be repatriated to Pakistan.
Conflict Resolution Issues: Following operation clean up, demands relating to conflict resolution issues appeared on MQM’s agenda. In 1994, MQM simultaneously demanded that its members be cleared of all cases against them and that an independent commission deal with prosecute government forces and compensate mohajir victims. The demands relating the prosecution of its members and opponents continued throughout the period coded without significant changes. In 1995, MQM both opposed and called for negotiations with the government. However, the main conflict resolutions issues were at all times related to the consequences of the violence between MQM and the government. This translated to demands of prosecution and accountability, and the compensation of victims.
Type of conflict issues: *Conflict Goal Issues: * Bureaucratic setup, Change of administrative divisions, Civil rights, CPS: Democracy, Decentralization, Economic reforms, Electoral reform, Hold elections, Land reforms, Law and order, Oust full executive, Public services, Recognition as a political party, Restructure police forces
*Conflict Dynamics Issues: * Atrocities and abuses, Collective targeting: ethnic, Collective targeting: political, Military conduct, Release of prisoners, Return of refugees/IDPs
*Conflict Resolution Issues: * Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Call for negotiations, Compensation/restoration, Opposition to negotiations, Recognition of wrongdoing, Structure of negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1990
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Pakistan - MQM
1994
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
MQM - MQM-H
Government of Pakistan - MQM
1995
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
MQM - MQM-H
Government of Pakistan - MQM
1996
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Pakistan - MQM
1997
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
MQM - MQM-H
1998
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
MQM - MQM-H
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1990 Group Archive
Government of Pakistan - MQM
Comment on Name: Mohajir Quami Movement or Mohajir Qaumi Movement. Mohajir is a term referring to Muslim refugees who fled to Pakistan from India when the subcontinent was divided in 1947.
Comment on Active: Leader Altaf Hussain
Troop Size: Missing
1995 Group Archive
MQM - MQM-H
Comment on Name: Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Mohajir National Movement)
Government of Pakistan - MQM
Comment on Name: Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Mohajir National Movement)
Comment on Active: MQM split in 1992 into two rival factions. One of them continued under the leadership of Altaf Hussain. The splinter group was renamed MQM Haqiqi - Haqiqi meaning real - and was established under patronage of the Pakistan army in an attempt to divide and weaken the movement.
Altaf Hussain, the leader of MQM, remained in exile in London since the army crackdown began in 1992.
Troop Size: > 160
Comment on Troop Size: No information on troop size is available. Intelligence estimate that at least 1000 guerrillas with ties to six political/ religious organizations are active in the warfare. MQM is the dominating force among them.
1996 Group Archive
Government of Pakistan - MQM
Comment on Name: Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Refugees or Immigrants National Movement)
Troop Size: 160
Comment on Troop Size: Not known for this year. Estimate is from February 1995.
