Altaf Hussain in intensive care in UK apparently with Covid-19
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain is in the intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Britain. Apparently, after contracting Covid-19, it emerged on Monday.
Hussain, who is living in the UK in self-imposed exile since 1991; in an audio message released through his party’s social media channels on Saturday (Jan 30) stated that he was under treatment for nearly three weeks.
“I have been in the ICU in hospital for the last 20 days. It is due to your (supporters’) prayers that I have been able to record this message on this day of Saturday, Jan 30, 2021,” the MQM leader said in the audio, shared by a web TV channel that favors the MQM on Sunday.
Hussain urged his followers to continue praying for him, saying he would speak to them again after recovering.
Altaf Hussain issues message from Intensive Care Unit #COVID19 #COVIDSecondWave pic.twitter.com/uftV1QRfVo
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) January 31, 2021
The MQM has not officially confirmed that Hussain is suffering from Covid-19; the audio message and statements of MQM Rabita Committee’s acting convener Tariq Jawaid both suggest that is the case. Attempts by Dawn to reach MQM’s leadership in London for a comment were unsuccessful.
Live program
Appearing on the live program, Jawaid said, “Altaf bhai is not doing well.”
But he asked supporters not to pay heed to “rumours”, saying: “Altaf bhai is a human too; the conditions that are prevalent across the world, obviously every person is getting affected.”
The MQM founder is “fast on the road to recovery” and is following his doctors’ advice fully, the party’s acting convener added.
The first indication of Hussain’s diagnosis came on January 23 when the MQM tweeted from its official Twitter account: “MQM founder leader Mr. Altaf Hussain got ill. After check-up, doctor advised him to rest and suspend his political activities.
