May 21, 2025: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned a recent drone strike in North Waziristan’s Harmuz village, which tragically claimed the lives of a woman and four young children. The attack, which occurred in Tehsil Mir Ali, targeted a civilian residence and has sparked outrage over its devastating human cost.
Calling the strike “horrific” and “inhumane,” Altaf Hussain labelled it a gross violation of human rights. He stressed that such actions not only shock the conscience of any peace-loving individual but also raise serious moral and legal questions.
“Even if we hypothetically assume that a family member was linked to a militant group, how is it that alleged terrorists survive while innocent Pashtun children are slaughtered?” he asked. “Were those children terrorists? What crime did they commit?”
Hussain decried the drone strike as a “savage and brutal” act, warning that such violence could provoke divine retribution and destabilise the country further. He criticised the use of excessive military force in civilian areas and pointed to the long-term consequences for marginalised communities already burdened by conflict.
Expressing deep solidarity with the Pashtun community, Hussain said, “On behalf of every MQM member and supporter, I express heartfelt grief and extend our unwavering support to the victims’ families. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Pashtun brothers and sisters in their pursuit of justice.”
He also demanded a swift, independent, and transparent investigation into the drone strike and called for those responsible to be held accountable. “Justice must be served not only to honour the innocent lives lost but to ensure such barbarity is never repeated,” he said.
Earlier, Hussain had also denounced the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, urging authorities to ensure that those behind such “heinous and barbaric” crimes are brought to justice.