Resolutions submitted in Sindh, Punjab assemblies against Altaf's speech

Published August 3, 2015
Screengrab shows MQM chief Altaf Hussain talking to supporters
Screengrab shows MQM chief Altaf Hussain talking to supporters

KARACHI/LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Monday submitted resolutions in the Punjab and Sindh Assemblies against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain condemning his August 1 speech.

The resolution submitted by PTI’s parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Samar Ali Khan said that, "The federal government must wake up to take action against the British citizen who is continuously spewing venom against the sacred institutions that form Pakistan."

The resolution demanded that the Sindh government should raise the matter with federation, British government along with the imposition of a blanket ban on Altaf Hussain’s public speeches.

On the other hand, the Punjab Assembly resolution moved by Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, says that the MQM supremo had asked Nato, United Nations and even rival India to intervene in Pakistan’s internal matters, which is highly condemnable.

The resolution demands the federal government to take all possible measures to arrest Altaf Hussain and try him for violating the constitution.

Read: Altaf Hussain's statement tantamount to waging war against Pakistan: Nisar

JI chief demands legal action against Altaf

Meanwhile, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq on Monday demanded that legal and constitutional action be taken against MQM chief Altaf Hussain for his speech on August 2.

Taking to media personnel outside the Parliament House, he said the law and order situation in Karachi was improving and peace was gradually being restored in the province.

“The country's real prosperity is in ensuring supremacy of the law and Constitution,” Haq added.

Earlier on Sunday, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had termed Hussain's speech tantamount to waging war against Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the federal interior minister said, "The hate-inciting speech, made in a foreign country last night, crossed all limits. Heads of key institutions were insulted."

He added that, "Sarcastic poems were read against the armed forces of Pakistan and accusations were levelled against the army."

The interior minister was of the view that "these statements cannot exhibit the sentiments of a patriotic Pakistani".

Meanwhile MQM’s co-ordination committee categorically denied the allegations of calling for Indian or international help by their party chief in his August 2 speech in Dallas, US.

Also read: MQM committee defends Altaf’s speech

The MQM committee also criticised statements of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti about Mr Hussain’s speech and said he had spoken only the truth.

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