GUJRAT: PML-Q leader and former prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has called upon Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain to disown what he termed the ‘militant wing and mafia of his party’ for the sake of peace and stability in Karachi.

He told this correspondent that the military was committed to rooting out violence, militancy and sectarianism, which was a good omen. He said sectarianism should also be wiped out from Punjab for which some bold, but unpopular, steps were needed.

*Also read:After BBC report, calls to ban MQM gain momentum*

The PML-Q chief called for a commission comprising senior judges of the Supreme Court to investigate allegations of corruption against political leaders and other people, adding that proceedings of the proposed commission should be telecast live and the accused should personally defend themselves rather than hiring lawyers.

He reiterated his offer of appearing first to such a commission so that the issue of levelling charges against politicians should be settled once and for all.

Chaudhry Shujaat recalled that he had won a case in a British court against corruption charges levelled against him by The Guardian newspaper that had to publish an apology besides paying the cost and damages.

“I advise MQM chief Altaf Hussain to file a similar case against the BBC television that has accused his party’s leadership of receiving huge funding from the Indian intelligence agency RAW so that the matter may be clarified,” he said, adding that elements involved in anti-state activities should not be spared.

Answering a question about the possibility of an electoral alliance against PML-N in Punjab, he said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan had prai­sed the policies and governance of Chaudhry Pervez Ela­hi as chief minister and his party had contacts with leaders of all opposition parties.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2015

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