Afaq Ahmed (Urdu: افاق احمد; born April 22, 1962 in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan) is a Pakistani politician from Karachi who is the founder of the Muhajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) (MQM-H) political party, a break-off faction of the much larger Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). He is popularly known to his followers by the affectionate nickname 'Chief Sahib' (translated loosely as Mr. Chief).[citation needed]
Born in a Muhajir family, Ahmed is a graduate of the University of Karachi.[1] While still a student, he joined the All Pakistan Muttahidda Students Organization (APMSO) led by Altaf Hussain. Later, when the APMSO became a political party under the leadership of Hussain, Ahmed served as the party's joint secretary. However, in 1989, owing to some ideological differences with Altaf Hussain, Afaq Ahmed left the MQM and announced the creation of his own MQM-H faction.[1]
Due to political conflict, he was arrested in 2004 following the rise to power of the rivalling MQM in Sindh. In late September 2011, the Sindh High Court finally granted Ahmed bail after having spent seven years in jail. But the Sindh Government has refused his release because of a possible law and order situation in Karachi and has placed him under arrest under MPO law for one month.[2]
Release from jail
On December 16, 2011 the Sindh High Court declared Afaq Ahmed's imprisonment under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) illegal and ordered him to be set free.[2]
On 18 December 2011, Afaq Ahmed announced to forgive Altaf Hussain and Governor Ishratul Ibad for keeping him detained at jail and not allowing him to attend the funeral of his father. Afaq referring towards Altaf Hussain, also said that he can’t forgive those who are against me.[citation needed]
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