KARACHI, Sept 18: The ruling coalition in the centre came under severe strain when Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday took the Pakistan Muslim League to task for holding secret talks with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on amendments to the Hudood laws.

While the PML’s extra-parliamentary talks with the MMA have earned the MQM’s censure, this is the first time Mr Hussain has criticised the ruling PML for agreeing to make changes to the draft of the Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill 2006 after it had been finalised by the National Assembly’s select committee.

Speaking at a function held to celebrate his 53rd birthday on Sunday night, Mr Hussain made it clear that the MQM would not accept the changes to the bill being made by the Pakistan Muslim League and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.

“The MQM will not compromise on the issue of the bill,” declared the MQM chief while addressing an emotionally charged and slogan-chanting crowd that danced to party songs at Nine Zero.

Referring to the debate over the Hudood Ordinance, Mr Hussain recalled that a select committee of the National Assembly had been formed to remove man-made and controversial provisions of the Hudood Ordinance.

“Later those people who were not even in the National Assembly disregarded the changes agreed upon in the select committee,” he said in remarks that were seen to be aimed at Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi who was earlier blamed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for employing strong-arm tactics against National Assembly parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar.

PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain reportedly allowed the Punjab chief minister to play a key role in talks with the MMA on amendments to the Hudood laws.

Mr Hussain criticised, without naming, the PML-N and the Pakistan People’s Party for doing nothing against the Hudood laws during their stints in power.

He said “genuine religious scholars” were with the MQM on amendments to the Hudood laws.

He criticised religious parties for sending poor children or orphans to wage jihad in Afghanistan and Chechnya.

“While they never tire of fulminating against the United States, they send their own children to American schools and universities,” he said.

Mr Hussain demanded greater provincial autonomy and sought an end to the military operation in Balochistan.