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ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) approached the National Assembly Secretariat on Friday to condemn its own founder Altaf Hussain's vitriolic "anti-Pakistan" speech and the attack on media houses by MQM activists.
"This House condemns in strongest terms the raising of anti-Pakistan slogans and the incendiary and controversial speech of MQM founder Altaf Hussain from London and the subsequent attacks on media houses, in particular the ARY network," says the resolution signed by 22 MQM leaders.
"This House condemns every type of crime, violence, terrorism and anti-Pakistan slogans and activities," it further said.
Speaking to the press after submitting the resolution, MQM leader Farooq Sattar termed Altaf's Aug 22 anti-Pakistan speech "suicidal" and said the party in Pakistan had made a huge sacrifice by distancing itself from party chief Altaf Hussain in its "decisions and policies".
He lambasted Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) chief Mustafa Kamal's 'confusing' earlier statements. On one hand, Kamal says MQM is still collaborating with the London offices and Altaf Hussain, Sattar said, "But on the other hand, he's saying I'm scared and afraid to sleep in my own home."
"We are saying we are totally cut off [from the London offices]... If he is going to make such accusations, then the agencies should help him. If our WhatsApp, FaceTime and phone calls are being monitored, please show the PSP whether we are in touch with them. If we are not, then they should confront them (PSP)," Sattar said.
Wasay Jalil, an MQM leader present in London, had said a day earlier that his party will not accept any resolution against Hussain.
Jalil brushed aside the ‘minus-one formula’ and said “Altaf Hussain is MQM and MQM is Altaf Hussain”.
NA adopts resolution against Altaf's speech
Meanwhile, the National Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a separate resolution condemning Hussain's speech and termed it "an attack on Pakistan's foundation and integrity". It also condemned the attack on media houses in Karachi by MQM activists.
MNAs belonging to MQM-Pakistan supported the resolution.
"This House demands strict action under the law and constitution against the people [involved in the violence]," said the resolution which was tabled by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Barjees Tahir.
Two media houses were ransacked as activists chanting pro-MQM slogans went berserk last month after listening to a highly provocative speech of their London-based chief Hussain and resorted to a violent protest, firing and arson.
Parts of the speech that went viral on social media showed that while addressing MQM workers protesting outside the Karachi Press Club against “enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings”, Hussain not only raised slogans against Pakistan but also called the country “a cancer for [the] entire world”.
Altaf later apologised for his speech saying he was "under severe mental stress". Days later, the MQM-Pakistan led by Dr Farooq Sattar completely dissociated itself from the London-based supremo.
