Altaf's 'loose talk' worsens situation in Karachi: Nisar

Published August 4, 2015
"As interior minister, I assure you that Pakistan's security interest will not be allowed to be affected by any negativity, be it from Altaf Hussain or someone else," Nisar said. —DawnNews Screengrab
"As interior minister, I assure you that Pakistan's security interest will not be allowed to be affected by any negativity, be it from Altaf Hussain or someone else," Nisar said. —DawnNews Screengrab

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday referring to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain's recent diatribe has said that the MQM supremo's 'loose talk' frequently led to the worsening of the situation in Karachi.

"The frequent worsening of the situation (in Karachi) is not because of the government's performance, nor that of the Rangers or army; it is because of Altaf Hussain's loose talk," the minister told a press conference in Islamabad.

Altaf Hussain, while addressing the 19th worker's convention in Dallas on Saturday, had asked MQM activists to approach the United Nations and Nato headquarters in the United States and "inform them of human rights abuses against the muhajir community", according to a statement on the MQM website.

He also told MQM activists to, "ask for Nato and UN forces to be sent to Karachi to ascertain who is responsible for the bloodshed in Karachi."

Nisar said the cases that were registered against Hussain in London were not of a political nature, adding that Pakistan's cooperation with the UK was so that the cases may be resolved and should be looked at in that light only. He added that cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom had been under way as the case was registered in that country.

"As interior minister, I assure you that Pakistan's security interests will not be allowed to be affected by any negativity, be it from Altaf Hussain or someone else," Nisar said.

He further said that the previous government had not cooperated with UK authorities in these cases and the incumbent government had begun cooperating with them soon after coming to power.

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

The interior minister also shed light on the money laundering case against the MQM supremo as well as the Imran Farooq murder case, explaining that these cases were registered in the UK. He clarified that the government had nothing against Altaf Hussain and it was Pakistan's international responsibility to cooperate with the British government.

"This case is not about MQM, it is not even about Altaf Hussain. It is about the murder of a Pakistani which took place in London," Nisar reiterated.

He added that a legal reference was being drafted against Altaf Hussain which will include a criminal investigation and added that the reference will be made available to the media.

Earlier, addressing a ceremony at Rawalpindi Police Lines, Nisar said the noose had been tightened when it came to terrorists, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

Take a look: Despite hardships, Pakistan set on path to improvement: Nisar

He added that the war on terror was not over yet, adding that, the overall situation had however improved in the last two years. He explained that the police had a significant role to play in the decisive phase that the war against terrorists in Pakistan had entered.

Nisar lauded police personnel for their efforts and said the entire nation saluted them for fighting terrorism. He advised that the police should adopt unconventional methods in order to cope with various challenges.

He said that the war on terror could not be won without the entire country's cooperation. He said citizens' committees should be established in this regard, adding that the military, the civil armed forces, police and intelligence agencies must continue with their coordination in order to succeed in the war against terrorism.

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