GILGIT: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday sentenced Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain to 81 years in prison, while issuing its verdict on a treason and incitement to violence case filed against the MQM supremo.

Fifteen cases were registered against the MQM chief in various police stations of Gilgit-Baltistan on charges of treason, incitement to violence and speeches against the state and armed forces.

Earlier on September 21, the court had reserved its verdict on the case.

ATC Judge Raja Shahbaz Khan sentenced Altaf Hussain to 81 years imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs2.4 million.

The court also ordered relevant authorities to confiscate the properties of the MQM chief and hold the same for auction.

Earlier on September 1, the same court had declared Altaf Hussain absconder for not appearing despite being summoned through a legal notice.

The court had warned that if Altaf Hussain failed to appear in the court on the next hearing of the case, the court would issue verdict against him.

MQM chief in his July 12 speech had accused Rangers chief and his subordinates for violating army code of conduct during the Karachi operation.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has already imposed a ban on media coverage of Altaf and airing of his images and speeches across all electronic and print media in a similar case.

Also Read: MQM withdraws resignations of lawmakers

MQM lawmakers tendered their resignations form both the houses of parliament and Sindh Assembly en masse on August 12 citing reservations over the Rangers-led operation in Karachi.

Later on October 9, MQM leader Farooq Sattar, while signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had expressed hope that the ban on MQM’s welfare and political activities and speeches of Altaf Hussain would be addressed by the government as per law.