KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday said that it would be better to have martial law in Pakistan than to set up military courts, DawnNews reported.

However, he warned that it would be a mistake to think that the army alone could solve the country's problems.

The MQM leader made the remarks during an emergency telephonic press conference at the party’s Nine-Zero headquarters.

During his speech, Altaf suggested that COAS General Raheel Sharif should handle the affairs of state for two years.

He said that it would be better if the army took over rather than having military courts.

"If an undemocratic path is to be taken, martial law may as well be imposed," he said.

He also said that since martial law had been placed in Pakistan many times before, it could be imposed again.

"Martial law has been imposed a hundred times, why not once more," Altaf said.

The MQM leader has warned before that the army could take over if the situation deteriorated in Pakistan.

Read more:Altaf calls for resolving dispute to avert martial law

In late August, during anti-govt protests that were being held in Islamabad, Altaf Hussain had warned the government and protesters that the country would have yet another martial law if they did not resolve their dispute.

However he also said his warning about martial law should not be interpreted as supporting a military takeover.