Book Review: My Life's Journey: The Early Years (1966-1988) by Altaf Hussain

 

Originally this book was published in Urdu as Safa-e-Zindagi. It was based on lengthy interview of Altaf Hussain, better known as Altaf bhai. In the foreword of the book Matthew A. Cook says that the Urdu speaking population which migrated to Pakistan includes population form Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Bombay. He also says that most Mohajirs were not elites. They were artisans such as shoemakers, carpet weavers from Agra. Or metal workers from Moradabad and lock-makers from Aligarh.

He further says that most provincial refugee rehabilitation ministers were Sindhis rather than Mohajirs. The civil and police control was by the Punjabis and the Pakhtuns controlled the building and transportation sectors. Altaf Hussain writes about his childhood, mentioning the time when Ayub Khan won from Fatima Jinnah. Ayub’s son Gohar Ayub decided to celebrate his father’s victory in Karachi. On that very day Altaf and his mother were in rickshaw and were informed by the Rickshaw driver to get out of the vehicle as Pakhtuns were on the rampage.

Writing about his activism during student days, he mentions mobilizing students for B. Pharmacy admissions. They were initially denied admissions because by the time their result came out the admissions had closed. But finally, after constant struggle they succeeded in getting admissions.

The author says that Mohajir civil servants were sacked during Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Bhutto’s time. After his association with PNA he realized that the Mohajirs were considered third class citizens and no respect was shown for their lives. On 11 June 1978, the All-Pakistan Mohajir Students’ Organization (APMSO) was formed. It faced string resistance from Islami Jamiat-e-Taluba. Finances were a serious issue for the newly founded organization and Altaf donated the income he earned from tuitions. Altaf Hussain says: ‘I can never forget that 50 cc motorbike of mine which proved to be more faithful than many humans.’ Furthermore, he says that when he was building up the organization, he would often be hungry with other fellows. To satisfy their stomachs they would each have a samosa followed by several glasses of water.  

In 1984, Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM) was launched. It faced serious opposition. He was jailed three times. He was tortured and later the beatings resulted in kidney problems. Altaf Hussain says that he subordinated all his desires and interest to his mission MQM. He further states that his family had a very positive attitude that provided courage to him. Altaf stresses on the relation between class and politics. He says MQM is a friend of the poor, whether they are from Punjab, Sindh, NWFP or Baluchistan.

This autobiographical account covers the period from 1966 to 1988. This book provides a story of Altaf Hussian- how an individual rose to become Altaf bhai.