Altaf Hussain Admitted to London Hospital Amid Deteriorating Health

LONDON / KARACHI — Altaf Hussain, the founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was hospitalised in London on the evening of Sunday, February 1, 2026, after his health significantly deteriorated.

Party officials confirmed that as of Monday, February 2, Hussain is undergoing a series of medical procedures and remains under close observation.

Medical Status Update

According to official statements from the MQM-London coordination committee:

• Immediate Treatment: Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors administered an IV drip and injections to address extreme physical weakness.
• Blood Transfusion: A blood transfusion was performed on Sunday night following a drop in his blood count.
• Further Testing: A team of specialists is scheduled to conduct a comprehensive medical examination today (Monday), including an ECG, CT scan, and ultrasound, to determine the underlying cause of his illness.

Factors Behind Health Decline

Senior MQM leader Mustafa Azizabadi attributed the 72-year-old’s current condition to “severe mental stress and physical exhaustion.”

• Workload: Hussain reportedly remains engaged in organizational work for 18 to 20 hours a day.
• Ongoing Pressures: Aides cited the cumulative impact of ongoing legal proceedings in the UK and “persistent financial hardships” as contributing factors to his psychological and cardiac-related stress.

A History of Recent Illness

This marks the third time in less than a year that the MQM founder has required emergency hospitalisation:

1. July 2025: Admitted for two weeks due to “severe illness” and received multiple blood transfusions.
2. August 2025: Brief hospitalisation for a chest infection and severe flu.
3. February 2021: Spent several weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after contracting a life-threatening case of COVID-19.

Altaf Hussain has lived in self-imposed exile in London since 1992. While he was acquitted of British terrorism charges in 2022, he remains a controversial and influential figure in Karachi’s politics. Most recently, on January 26, 2026, he had issued a public demand for the establishment of 80 new firefighting stations in Karachi following the Gul Plaza fire tragedy.

The party has requested supporters to pray for his recovery.

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