ISLAMABAD, June 17: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has said that the number of witnesses coming forward against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain is increasing and the evidence will be enough to prove the violent nature of the party.

Mr Khan said at a press conference here on Sunday that President Pervez Musharraf had briefed the top leadership of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), including Shahbaz Sharif and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, in 1999, terming Mr Hussain ‘the biggest terrorist in Pakistan’.

“Gen Musharraf had told them that Altaf Hussain was receiving funds from India for terrorist activities,” the PTI leader revealed, adding that all the political parties were aware of the MQM’s deeds.

“But now the president is protecting Altaf Hussain for the sake of power, which clearly indicates that Gen Musharraf holds himself first and not Pakistan. But I am determined to fight against Altaf till my last breath,” he vowed.

In reply to a question, he said: “If I am harmed, both President Musharraf and MQM chief Altaf Hussain would be responsible for that.”

The PTI chairman said that the MQM had only 13 per cent votes but it had occupied about 50 per cent of the state institutions by exerting pressure. He said he would reveal all the facts in due course of time.

Mr Khan condemned the statement of United States Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte that it was for President Musharraf to doff his military uniform, saying: “How can a junior US official intervene in the internal affairs of Pakistan.”

He said free and fair elections were impossible under the command of a uniformed president and it was quite clear to the US too.

He said the conference of opposition parties convened by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in London would result in a decisive movement against Gen Musharraf.

He said the conference would also show which political parties were sincere to the restoration of democracy.

Mr Khan regretted that there were cracks in the opposition parties which were giving an advantage to President Musharraf. He urged the parties to shun their differences and unite on a platform to get rid of the military regime.

Replying to a question, he alleged that the government had presented ‘fraudulent statistics’ in the budget about reduction of poverty. According to the World Bank’s report, 75 per cent of the country’s population earned less than $2 a day, he asserted.