KARACHI, Dec 3: Accusing the Jamaat-i-Islami of being in covert partnership with the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other anti-state outfits, Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has called for an immediate ban on the JI and trial of its leaders for treason.

Speaking from London to a party workers’ convention held at the Lal Qila ground on Tuesday, he claimed that the JI was involved in violence and terrorism across the country along with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

Mr Hussain presented a detailed account of some JI and Islami Jamiat Tulaba (IJT) workers killed in US drone strikes in tribal areas and certain local leaders from whose houses known Al Qaeda militants, including Khalid Shaikh Muhammad, had been arrested.

He said that while workers of his party were arrested and tortured in custody, “terrorists of a party having links with international terrorists” had been given a free hand.

He said the military establishment had made the JI its ‘B team’ but now the same party in connivance with internal and external elements was plotting against the country.

Referring to a recent statement by JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan, he asked: “Why the parties and their affiliates supporting those who slaughtered our soldiers are not banned?”

Mr Hussain recalled that on Aug 13, 2004, then interior minister Faisal Saleh Hayat had told the National Assembly that the JI was supporting Al Qaeda.

He urged the government to ban the JI and its student wing IJT for supporting international terrorists. He also demanded that the JI leadership be tried under article 6 of the constitution.

The MQM chief said the influence of the Taliban was rapidly growing in posh areas of Karachi like the Defence Housing Authority and Clifton.

He appealed to people to keep an eye on the activities of the JI and its affiliated organisations and form ‘mohalla committees’.

Criticising the security forces for failing to rein in terrorists killing people on sectarian grounds, he said innocent MQM workers were being arrested and tortured.

He said he was not asking the security agencies not to arrest any miscreant present in MQM’s ranks, but discrimination must be stopped because it created hatred.

He said if the Rangers and police continued their policy of discrimination against his party, things would get out of hand and then even the army would not be able to stop the people.

Addressing the military commanders, he said the MQM was not an enemy of the country. “We are not alien and we are your friends and well-wishers. Do embrace us and clear all misunderstandings.”