Non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Altaf in Karachi

E-Paper | October 11, 2026

Non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Altaf in Karachi

Dawn.com Published August 5, 2015

KARACHI: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi issued a non-bail able arrest warrant for Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Wednesday.

The arrest warrant was issued for Altaf Hussain in a case pertaining to using threatening language against Pakistan Rangers Sindh personnel who raided the MQM headquarters ‘Nine Zero’ on March 11.

The remarks were reportedly made during a Television interview.

In the same case, the court (ATC) on August 1 accepted the charge sheet submitted by Sindh Police against MQM chief declaring him an absconder.

During the hearing on August 1, the Investigation Officer Muhammad Naeem stated that Altaf could not be produced in court as he is not present in Pakistan.

The First Information Report (FIR) of the case was registered in March at Civil Lines police station by Colonel Tahir of Pakistan Rangers.

Read Police declares Altaf Hussain an absconder

On July 29, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) also issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Hussain as a result of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) that were registered in the province.

The FIRs were registered under sections related to treason and rebellion against the state of Pakistan.

Pakistan

CM Murad voices concern over delays in Karachi Circular Railway revival

Authorities seal UC office in Gulberg park over ‘illegal occupation’

Two cops suspended over ‘torture’ of teenager

Dilawar Khan

Aug 05, 2015 06:05pm

it's just propaganda, the way it was hatched against GEO..

Recommend 0

Khyber

Aug 05, 2015 06:08pm

Pakistanis seem to want freedom of speech but don't understand it. I don't like Mr. Altaf but this charge is ridiculous. He has the right to say anything he pleases.

Recommend 0

Observer

Aug 05, 2015 06:16pm

These arrest warrents wont make a difference unless he is called back in Pakistan

Recommend 0

Changez_Khan

Aug 05, 2015 06:27pm

But he is in London living a happy and comfortable life. These warrants don't mean anything for him. The only people will be suffering and humiliated are his party members in Pakistan. Soon he will issue another provocative statement and stir another anger.

Recommend 0

Loyal

Aug 05, 2015 06:33pm

Please provide justice to the Thatta girl seeking help from Madadgar who was abused and tortured, rather than filing FIRs, issuing warrant and distributing certificates of patriotism.

Recommend 0

homieSS

Aug 05, 2015 06:38pm

if this guy start speaking Punjabi...everything will be fine......he will be a patriotic Pakistani.otherwise no chance.....

Recommend 0

Rashid

Aug 05, 2015 06:43pm

Right or wrong, what Altaf Hussain said is his right to speak; you can not issue a warrant because some one said something. We are rolling back, it looks like this is Marshal Law again. Freedom of speech is ones right, please don't take this right from people of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Aug 05, 2015 07:04pm

Where are the FIRs against Khuwaja Asif, Asif Zardari, Imran Khan and Sharif's for their comments against our great Pakistan Army? Politicized, biased and partisan LEAs are settling only personal scores and nothing else. Keep on doing this, it is making MQMs vote bank stronger everyday.

Recommend 0

Aug 05, 2015 07:25pm

@Rashid Freedom of speech and expressions have also boundaries in a same way when French magazine crossed the line and whole Muslim world got upset .

Recommend 0

MJK

Aug 05, 2015 07:31pm

Altaf Hussain is a British citizen. Any western power will never hand over its citizen to a 3rd world country like Pakistan. You can register 100 cases against Altaf Hussain, result will be same.

Recommend 0

sami khan

Aug 05, 2015 07:44pm

Please don't waste your time and fool the pubic. AH will not come back from London. He has right to express his opinion. If your courts have courage then try Asif Ali Zardari.

Recommend 0

Bhai Jan

Aug 05, 2015 07:46pm

@homieSS Please do not try to split Pakistanis like this. Your remark is opposite to what this country is all about. We will survive only as ONE not seperated by ethnic differences. Be educated sir.

Recommend 0

Zubaida Khan

Aug 05, 2015 08:07pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Why don't you go and open the FIR against Zardari and others? No one is stopping you. The reason is that we do not feel threatened from them. If you do please go to the local police station and open one.

Recommend 0

Syed Ahmed, Canada

Aug 05, 2015 08:31pm

Better late than never. Arrest warrants has been issued against Altaf Hussain, MQM Chief, for using threatening language against Pakistan Rangers Sindh personnel. Efforts should be maid to bring him to Pakistan. Like wise Asif Ali Zardari must be brought back to Pakistan and charged for ridiculing the Army. The Defense Minister Khawaja Asif must also be charged for ridiculing the Army.

Recommend 0

Waqas

Aug 05, 2015 08:31pm

Pakistan zindabaad!

Recommend 0

Mohammad khan

Aug 05, 2015 08:36pm

If Altaf is declared as absconder by the Sindh Police , how come he remain as chief of his part and run every day party matters from London, I am unable to understand this quiz

Recommend 0

tarik

Aug 05, 2015 08:41pm

Futile exercise.

Recommend 0

syed haider

Aug 05, 2015 08:53pm

It is time to create more provinces

Recommend 0

SHAHZ

Aug 05, 2015 08:58pm

Our courts have time, ink and paper to waste hence such cases are registered. Please take action against all or dont try to take sides and corner one guy or party. I am not a fan of this party or AH but can clearly see that other culprits roam around free without any charges. If we need to improve our nation, action must be cumulative

Recommend 0

fakhar waleed

Aug 05, 2015 09:01pm

Every case seems to be based on political revenge.On one hand govt. maligns MQM and on the other hand makes call to it's chief.

Recommend 0

Haque Parast

Aug 05, 2015 09:02pm

@Zubaida Khan Imran Khan has the same non-bailable arrest warrant from ATC for attacking govt. installations during dharna. Maulana Aziz has the same non-bailable arrest warrant. They are both IN Pakistan. Did anyone care? The bias, the discrimination, the injustice will fire back.

Recommend 0

Naseer

Aug 05, 2015 09:20pm

@Khyber , Freedom of Speach is different and bad mouthing about country and institutions is different, specially to enemies of Pakistan. Altaf is faching charges in UK , why don't he complain to NATO, US and India about UK , British police also raided his house but in London it's ok, double standards

Recommend 0

Ali

Aug 05, 2015 09:21pm

I think its time for him to change country. As in Pakistan and UK its not a very comfortable situation.

Recommend 0

Naseer

Aug 05, 2015 09:28pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan , you mean it's OK if head of other parties did it , then Altaf aslo do it, but there is diff , other leaders didnt ask for Forign help, those who did it did bad in Pakistan, not on forign soil , it would be good for you to change from Sab Se Pahle Pakistan to Sab Se Phale MQM.

Recommend 0

Harmony-1

Aug 05, 2015 10:29pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan - You are free to file FIRs against those you mention. Anyone can. Don't you think AH last diatribe (inviting foreign forces to invade) crosses all boundaries?

Recommend 0

Shahid

Aug 05, 2015 10:42pm

Altaf has been living in luxry in London and playing with his own supporters life, reputation and respect. What freedom of speech??? Stay in safe and Luxry London play with Pakistan, Pakistan Rangers, law enforcement agencies and his own followers. Come to Pakistan then talk --- Coward.

Recommend 0

Shahid

Aug 05, 2015 10:49pm

@homieSS you are wrong and trouble maker. It is not the question what language he speaks -- it is the question what he speaks????? I am a Punjabi you trying to say I am superior than him --- No -- Altaf claims to represent a community most educated and well established in Pakistan. Every one respects Urdu speaking people in Pakistan Urdu is the official language of Pakistan. Just hold your words next time this is not a freedom of speech. You think if you & Altaf say and do in Europe what you say and do in Pakistan you will get away in the name of freedom of speech??????????

Recommend 0

Shahid

Aug 05, 2015 10:52pm

@syed haider Yes I want to separate my Mohallah too -- I shall be the governor and one day I shall be the Prime minister

Recommend 0

ashamed

Aug 05, 2015 10:53pm

I thought Asif Zardari also said the same things. Is he also under arrest?

Recommend 0

Nadeem

Aug 05, 2015 11:04pm

Hand him over to military courts now. Thousands of Karachites already lost their lives, can't bear that anymore!

Recommend 0

Merchant

Aug 05, 2015 11:05pm

I don't see any point in issuing warrants of any type in Karachi. What is needed is Interpol red warrant to bring this man to justice in a country where justice is well and truly served.

Recommend 0

M.Saeed

Aug 05, 2015 11:11pm

I like Altaf Bhai for his unfaltering stupidity on every account and getting away with it untouched by any LEA at home or abroad ! What a durable man of vices !

Recommend 0

M.Saeed

Aug 05, 2015 11:20pm

@homieSS : You are not a genuine Pakistani. Otherwise you would know, 95% of all Muhajirs of Partition were settled in Punjab and have never agreed with Altaf on anything. Altaf was born in Pakistan after 6 years of its independence and a born Pakistani, who can never be a Muhajir. His parents were Muhajirs who were fully compensated, settled and integrated with all other inhabitants of Pakistan and he only got his Muhajir idea in 1984, after 31 years of his birth in Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Umar

Aug 05, 2015 11:21pm

This is not news. Warrants issued by Interpol will be!

Recommend 0

Danish

Aug 05, 2015 11:29pm

This news itself is a move towards new beginning.

Recommend 0

curious2

Aug 05, 2015 11:36pm

I have never understood how a Democracy like Pakistan has a major party led by a British citizen who lives in London. Does anyone seriously think that an arrest warrant issued by an Anti Terrorism Court in Pakistan carries any weight in the UK? Especially for "harsh language". Maybe Pakistan should consider adopting a law which says that if you want to be a player in Pakistan politics you have to actually live in Pakistan?

Recommend 0

Drama King

Aug 06, 2015 12:46am

Shocked to read comments justifying Altaf's speech as "Freedom of Speech" . Have you ever heard something like threatening someone ? Are you aware of law ?

Recommend 0

Big Brother

Aug 06, 2015 12:52am

@homieSS Thank you for the truthful statement! Finally someone made some sense.

Recommend 0

Aga Khan

Aug 06, 2015 01:02am

Is this a joke? The guy has been living in UK for past so many years and calling all the shots in Karachi - with so many of his followers. A legal case against him is absurd. As every one know he is NOT returning to Pakistan. Do we have an extradition treaty with UK, if so why it is not being followed thus far.

Recommend 0

SALMAN

Aug 06, 2015 01:32am

@Khyber Freedom of speech should be within limitations. can he make a speech against the British govt? I don't think so

Recommend 0

ali khan

Aug 06, 2015 02:27am

Yes he is a British citizen but there is money laundering and murder case registered against him and if proved guilty in UK, he will lose his British citizen ship and will be send back to pakistan after punished for his crimes in UK and then you will get to know the importance of all the FIR's

Recommend 0

Najeeb

Aug 06, 2015 03:41am

@Khyber sorry but freedom of speech has limits. Even in western countries, you can't shout bomb in an airplane or fire in a cinema.it's obvious that he is hiding under the garb of free speech to create chaos and instability.if I was army chief I would have pakistan army and intelligence wing to track and hunt down the mafia wing of this party all over Karachi. Once that is done, Karachi will become peaceful again and this dangerous don sitting in london will become a toothless tiger

Recommend 0

MJK

Aug 06, 2015 03:56am

@SALMAN - He would n't dare make a speech against Her Majesty's government. He is being sheltered by British government . Altaf Hussain is like a fruit cake, all mixed up but irony is that educated urdu speaking mohajirs listen to his gibberish.

Recommend 0

Iqbal Aswani

Aug 06, 2015 04:50am

What a hypocrisy!!! Some people here who are singing freedom of speech song for this guy are exactly same who were bashing Zaid Hamid for his speeches and were "celebrating" his arrest.

Recommend 0

Amir Mahmood

Aug 06, 2015 05:33am

Altaf Hussain gave up his right to criticize in the internal affairs of Pakistan once he acquired British citizenship.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

A daughter should always have a safe place to call home: Master MoltyFoam's Wedding Campaign

Master MoltyFoam's latest wedding campaign challenges the belief that marriage changes a daughter's place in her parents' home.

Drive fuel free: Chery Master offers Rs1.29 Million upfront savings on Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid AWD

Limited stock price lock offer with a complimentary 7 kW Home Charger worth Rs100,000.

OMODA & JAECOO Nishat celebrates 15,000 units as JAECOO J7 marks first anniversary with a Special Beige Interior Edition

The achievement builds on the brand’s earlier milestone of 10,000 locally assembled units, reached just eight months after the first locally assembled vehicle was delivered in December 2025.