KARACHI: A renewed wave of political sentiments against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief over his recent speech turned into a one-on-one battle between the MQM and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Wednesday when each party approached the police before moving to the British High Commission seeking action against their rival leaders.

In the early hours of the day, the PTI filed an application at the Darakhshan police station for an FIR against the MQM chief for his recent ‘hate speech’ against the armed forces. The move was followed by the MQM leaders who came for an FIR against PTI chief Imran Khan for ‘issuing a statement against Pakistan army generals’.

The PTI moved further and presented a memorandum to the British deputy high commission for action against British citizen Altaf Hussain who while staying in London was issuing ‘anti-state and provocative statements’ that directly affected the country’s sovereignty and peace.

More FIRs lodged against MQM chief Altaf Hussain over ‘hate speech’

“Altaf Hussain’s provocative and hateful speeches have deeply offended the sentiments of all patriotic Pakistanis who have the utmost respect for state institutions, especially the Pakistan military and its branches, including the Pakistan Rangers,” said the memorandum.

“We strongly believe that national institutions cannot be ridiculed in public with such disdain and venom. It is disgraceful that a dual citizen such as Altaf Hussain is using the safety of British nationality and soil to express such hatred against the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Pakistan Rangers.”

The memorandum, which was addressed to the British high commissioner stationed in Islamabad, was delivered to the British deputy high commissioner by Sindh PTI chief organiser Dr Arif Alvi, and other leaders including Ali Zaidi, Samar Ali Khan and Khurram Sher Zaman.

The situation intensified when the MQM decided to pay the PTI back in the same coin. Dr Farooq Sattar accompanied by party colleague Senator Nasrin Jalil visited the deputy high commissioner office later in the evening and presented a memorandum against PTI chief Khan.

“Imran Khan should worry about his own character,” said Dr Sattar while talking to reporters after presenting the memorandum to the British deputy high commission office. “How can a man [Imran Khan], who is not appearing in the courts of a foreign country despite several summons, accuse leaders of any other party and call for action against them.”

Dr Sattar said Mr Khan and the PTI was suffering from ‘Altaf-phobia’ and their dream to ‘take over Karachi’ would never be realised with such tactics.

Resolution filed in assembly secretariat

Earlier during the day, the PTI filed a resolution in the Sindh assembly secretariat against Mr Hussain, calling upon the provincial government to demand that the federal government request the UK government to initiate action against him and desist its citizen from delivering controversial speeches against the security institutions of Pakistan and interference in its internal affairs.

The resolution, which was received by acting secretary of the assembly Syed Hasan Shah from PTI lawmakers Samar Ali Khan, Khurram Sher Zaman and Syed Hafeezuddin stated that Mr Hussain, a citizen of Britain, was interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan while sitting in London and making speeches against Pakistan’s security institutions. By the resolution, the lawmakers demanded that this issue be taken up in the next session of the assembly.

After filing the resolution, PTI leader Dr Alavi speaking to the media held the MQM responsible for lawlessness in Karachi. The Rangers had rendered a lot of sacrifices to bring peace to Karachi, he said. Dr Alavi alleged that all the parties, except the MQM, supported the Rangers deployment in the city.

He said whenever the PTI had attempted to table a resolution in the assembly, the PPP and MQM foiled the bid through their “Muk-Mukao” strategy.

Dr Alavi said the PTI demanded that the British government cancel Mr Hussain’s citizenship and send him back to Pakistan for he was allegedly involved in heinous crimes here. He also demanded the federal government seriously take up the issue with the British government and take coordinated action against him.

More FIRs registered

Meanwhile, a number of police stations across the country registered FIRs against the MQM chief for his alleged ‘hate speech’ against the armed forces on a second consecutive day.

Nearly a dozen cases were registered in Sindh while at least three more cases were lodged with the Attock, Jhelum and Murree police till Wednesday night.

The Karachi police booked him in seven cases under the same charges on complaints of citizens, while four such FIRs were registered in other parts of Sindh.

The Gadap City police nominated MQM chief and 25 others others in the FIR [84/2015] on charges of ‘hate speech’ against the armed forces on complaint of a citizen named Abdul Aziz Gabol.

“The the case has been registered under Sections of 120, 121, 122, 123, 123-A, 109 and 25 of the Pakistan Penal Code,” said Gadap City SHO Inspector Khan Nawaz.

Identical cases were also lodged against the MQM leadership at six other police stations in Karachi.

Two FIRs were registered at the Bin Qasim Town police station, while one each was registered against the MQM chief at the Steel Town, Malir Cantonment, Sachal and Sukkan police stations.

The FIRs were also registered at Salehpat police station in Sukkur, A-Section police station in Kandhkot, police stations in Thatta and Mirpurkhas.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2015

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