Pakistan sends dossier to UK for legal action against Altaf
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has requested that Britain take action against a self-exiled party leader who delivered a speech by phone last week that ignited rioting in Karachi, the Interior Ministry said here on Wednesday.
Islamabad sent a dossier on Altaf Hussain to UK authorities on Tuesday, detailing that he had incited violence and disturbed law and order, the statement said, adding that Altaf has violated both British and international laws.
In a separate statement, it said Foreign Minister Nisar Ali Khan had met with British High Commissioner Thomas Drew. It did not say whether they discussed Altaf.
Altaf is a British national and the founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, or MQM, which has long dominated politics in Karachi.
The party represents ethnic Mohajirs — those who fled to Pakistan from India during the 1947 partition. Its supporters have staged violent protests and clashed with political rivals and police in the past. It has been accused of getting financial support from the Indian intelligence agency RAW to create disturbance in Pakistan.
Altaf delivered an anti-government speech last week via telephone to his supporters, who then chanted ‘Down with Pakistan’ and ransacked three television stations. One person was killed in the ensuing clashes with security forces. Altaf called Pakistan a ‘cancer in the world’ and later apologised in a statement, saying he was under mental stress during the speech.
Public prosecutor Mushtaq Jahanghri says Altaf faces charges in two cases: for encouraging his supporters to “wage war against Pakistan” and for inciting them to damage public property. He said 45 MQM leaders and supporters, including three women, appeared in court where a judge ordered them detained pending trial.
The security forces have arrested dozens of MQM supporters and sealed and demolished many of the party’s offices. Portraits of Altaf have been removed from Karachi’s streets and MQM offices.
The party leadership in Pakistan has claimed to have disassociated itself from Altaf, promising that the party won’t be run from London anymore. Altaf has lived in self-imposed exile in London for years. —
The MQM chief’s derogatory remarks against Pakistan and antiPakistan slogans are totally unacceptable to each and every person here Khursheed Shah, Opposition leader