SUMMARY

Fighting between MQM (Mohajir Qaumi Movement) and MQM-H (Mohajir Qaumi Movement - Haqiqi) can be traced to the formation of MQM-H as a splinter group of MQM under some distinct circumstances. As such, in the aftermath of a 1992 Pakistani military operation against MQM, Afaq Ahmad and Amir Khan, two leaders of the group, took over MQMs headquarters and declared themselves as the leaders of the group as the official leader of MQM was in London. Furthermore, upon its formation MQM-H tried to recruit MQMmembers into its ranks. However, this proved impossible, as suspected ties of MQM-H with the Pakistani army made most MQM members keep their allegiance. Moreover, MQM-H began accepting former MQM members, excluded from MQMs ranks for various reasons. This led to the two groups contesting each other.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, both groups accused each other of unleashing violence, perpetrating terrorism, torture and targeted assassinations. MQM-H further accused MQM of using their political influence to target the headquarters of MQM-H and arrest its leaders in 2002.

The main tactics employed by both groups were small-scale attacks, usually targeting the headquarters or noted members of their enemy. Such attacks usually took the form of gunmen firing from vehicles, or small clashes by armed assailants on the streets of Karachi. While MQMs paramilitary wing was known for initiating large-scale riots, no such events are noted as part of this dyad.

Fighting was limited to Karachi, the largest urban center of Pakistan, where the largest number of Mohajirs lives. The extent of fighting was given mainly by the fact that MQM-Hs activity was limited to that area.

The non-state conflict between MQM and MQM-H is first included in UCDP data in 1994. In September of that year, clashes between the two groups had resulted in more than 25 battle-related deaths.