KARACHI, Nov 30: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has criticised Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and Jamaat-i-Islami leader Munawar Hasan for their stance on terrorism and US drone attacks.

In his address at the launching ceremony of his book, ‘Philosophy of Love’, at a hotel on Saturday, Mr Hussain spoke about militancy, minorities, protest over drone attacks and religion. “Religion is being misused by people to divide rather than bringing together an already fragmented society,” the MQM supremo bemoaned.

He said differences over language, colour, ethnicity and sect had caused the break-up of Pakistan. “You rejected them by considering them inferior. But today their economy is better than ours.

“India is on its way to becoming a hub of the global economy while in Pakistan some people busy using madressahs for jihad.”

The MQM leader advised the PTI chief not to “give statements which he can’t live up to”. “If you (Imran Khan) want to stop drone attacks, you should either go to the United Nations or file a case in international courts.”

He said Mr Khan’s stance on Nato supplies was only affecting the truck drivers whose livelihood depended on these routes.

“If the US stops its funding and Nato supplies for even a day the consequences will be far more complicated for Pakistan. So stop using the US for your political gains.”

He also assailed the JI chief for calling TTP leader Hakeemullah Mehsud a martyr. “Shouldn’t he (Munawar Hasan) be arrested and tried in a court under Article 6 of the constitution over this statement? How can he call a man who beheaded army personnel a martyr?”

Congratulating the Pakistan People’s Party on its foundation day, Mr Hussain said: “With due respect, the PPP is a progressive party, but MQM’s stance on terrorism has been much more consistent than any other political party in Pakistan.”

Mr Hussain said that those who were sidetracked during the general elections were still welcome to vote for the MQM. “Those who strayed towards PTI can always come back. We’ll always be there for them.”

An hour before the event started, news about former nazim of Karachi Mustafa Kamal’s resignation started coming in, but it was immediately and firmly denied by MQM leader Wasay Jalil.

Philosophy of Love is based on Altaf Hussain’s lecture he delivered at a literary meeting organised for MQM workers in 2003.

The book was launched by Muttahida’s former MNA Khushbakht Shujaat. Senior journalist Ajmal Dehlavi presided over the function.