LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-London chief Altaf Hussain for delivering anti-state speeches.

A civil society member, Amina Malik, had got a case registered with Civil Lines police in 2015 against Mr Hussain after he, during a telephonic address to his workers, used objectionable language not only against state institutions, including army and Rangers, but also against Pakistan.

The complainant through her counsel pleaded that Mr Hussain had been involved in inciting people of Pakistan against the country. She said the respondent tarnished the image of Pakistan in the world by his acts. She said speeches of Mr Hussain were tantamount to treason and he should be tried under the treason charge. The petitioner sought a trial of Mr Hussain under treason charge and conviction accordingly.

The investigating officer told the court that service of the earlier summons could not be made as the respondent had been living abroad.

The court issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of Mr Hussain and adjourned hearing for two weeks.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2017