KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday apologised for his speech in which he called Pakistan a “cancer” and “epicentre of terrorism for entire world”, and cited “severe mental stress” as reason behind his diatribe.In a statement, the London-based MQM chief preferred to apologise to the nation, army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Rangers director general Maj Gen Bilal Akbar and all “authorities” for his remarks against Pakistan.

However, despite his apology, Mr Hussain along with Dr Farooq Sattar and some other party leaders was booked in several cases registered under anti-terror and treason charges following the Monday violence. The MQM chief said: “From the bottom of my heart, I beg pardon for my remarks against Pakistan, and the establishment including Gen Raheel Sharif and DG Rangers. I was under severe mental stress over extra-judicial arrests and precarious condition of my workers sitting at the hunger strike camp.

“Being a Pakistani, I assure the Pakistani people, establishment, army, ISI, all higher authorities and leaders that I will never use such words again.”

He also regretted the violence that broke out after his speech that was followed by attacks on media houses, firing and arson incidents which left at least one person dead and a dozen others wounded besides causing damage to public and private property. The violence drew wide condemnation, followed by a crackdown on party offices by the law enforcement agencies and arrest of its leaders and workers.

Mr Hussain and other party leaders were later booked in cases registered under anti-terror and treason charges.

Two separate FIRs were registered by the Artillery Maidan police against Altaf Hussain, Dr Farooq Sattar, Amir Khan, Arif Khan Advocate, Gulfaraz Khattak, Abdul Qadir Khanzada for being part of Monday’s violence.

Two other FIRs were registered at the Superhighway Industrial and the Steel Town police stations on the same pretext.

All the four cases were registered on behalf of the state under charges of violence, agitation, assault, terrorism and treason. Among other sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, the FIRs mentioned Section 123-A that says: “condemnation of the creation of the state, and advocacy of abolition of its sovereignty” and recommends “rigorous imprisonment that may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine”.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2016