Waseem Akhtar, born on November 25, 1955, is a Pakistani politician affiliated with the Muttahida Quami Movement (P). Serving as the Mayor of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, from 2016 to 2020, his mayoral term was marked by controversy due to his contentious arrest shortly after taking office. Many of his supporters perceived his arrest as politically motivated.
Before entering the political arena, Akhtar spent a decade working as a telecommunication engineer at AT&T in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning to Pakistan, he diversified into the business sector, initially focusing on the assembly of radio and telephone sets. His business endeavors later expanded to encompass the distribution of pharmaceuticals.
It’s crucial to note that the specific details of his arrest and the controversies surrounding it may vary. Any developments in his political career or legal situation would be beyond my knowledge cutoff date of January 2022.
Early Life
After completing his early academic education, Waseem Akhtar pursued and successfully completed a degree program in telecommunication engineering. This educational background likely equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge in the field of telecommunication, which later contributed to his professional career. Telecommunication engineering involves the design, development, and maintenance of communication systems, including technologies such as telephone networks, data transmission, and wireless communications. This academic qualification likely played a significant role in shaping Akhtar’s career, particularly during his ten-year tenure as
telecommunication engineer at AT&T in Saudi Arabia before he entered politics.
Personal Life
Waseem Akhtar hails from an Urdu-speaking Muslim Rajput family and is the son of Akhter Muhammad Khan. Engaging in a real estate business, he has ventured into the realm of property development and management. Alongside his professional pursuits, Akhtar is a family man, married and blessed with six children. His commitment to both his personal and professional life reflects the diverse aspects of his background and responsibilities.
Political Career
In 1987, Waseem Akhtar joined the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), where he currently holds a senior position. Following the 2015 Karachi local government elections, he assumed the role of Mayor of Karachi on August 24, 2016. Waseem Akhtar officially took the oath of office as Karachi’s mayor on August 30, 2016.
Controversial Arrest and Legal Challenges Faced by Waseem Akhtar
Akhtar’s arrest was based on a Joint Investigation Team report regarding Asim Hussain, but legal experts argue that such reports are inadmissible in courts. The Anti-Terror Court, which was to try him, was deemed “unjust and ineffective” by the International Commission of Jurists. His arrest occurred soon after his nomination papers for the Mayor of Karachi were accepted by the Election Commission of Pakistan, which requires candidates to have no criminal record. Unknown individuals filed an FIR against him in the District of Malir, home to the then Senior Superintendent of Police Rao Anwar, later suspended by the government. The Anti-Terror Court, perceived as part of a political crackdown against MQM, ordered Akhtar’s arrest. MQM has accused law enforcement agencies of overstepping their authority and extrajudicially killing many workers. Akhtar contends that the court unnecessarily delayed his bail by not promptly hearing his case.
Charges and Controversies Surrounding Waseem Akhtar's Arrest
The accusations against Akhtar involve allegations such as listening to speeches by MQM founder Altaf Hussain and clapping. Additionally, he is accused of recommending individuals to Asim Hussain for medical treatment. Despite Pakistani media reports claiming that Akhtar confessed to murder, his lawyers presented a signed letter from his jail, declaring these reports false. Akhtar himself later appeared in the media, rejecting the alleged confession.
MQM has asserted that law enforcement agencies were pressuring Akhtar to step down as the Mayor of Karachi. Some analysts have expressed concerns that Akhtar may not be receiving a fair trial.
Revelations and Concerns Surrounding Waseem Akhtar's Detention
Journalist Shahzaib Khanzada exposed that Rangers had submitted forged medical receipts, falsely indicating that Akhtar had recommended alleged terrorists to receive treatment from Asim. Shockingly, all the receipts belonged to innocent residents, with authentic addresses but altered names. Amnesty International heightened concerns, publishing a report suggesting that Akhtar’s life while in detention could be endangered due to torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement agencies. Eventually, Akhtar was released from detention on November 16, 2016, after securing bail in all 39 cases.