LAHORE: As an opposition party demands immediate ban on Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) for ‘unpardonable act’ of Altaf Hussain, the ruling PML-N says if it does not disown him ‘completely’ then it should get ready to face serious consequences.

“Muhajir people are extremely patriotic as Pakistan runs in the blood of Muhajirs. But it is time MQM took decision to disown Altaf Hussain for his anti-Pakistan diatribe otherwise the Election Commission of Pakistan will be moved to ban it,” Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Iqbal said Altaf Hussain had not only committed treason but also betrayed the Muhajir people. “The MQM should either disown Mr Hussain completely or get ready to face a ban,” he said and was quick to add that banning political parties never proved fruitful in the past but the MQM’s case in the current scenario was different.

“In MQM, the elements that love Pakistan should come forward and take up the reins of the party,” the minister suggested.

PML-Q Senator Kamil Ali Agha is very much critical of Hussain and demanded a ban on MQM forthwith.

They want MQM to disown Altaf; disagree on party ban

He said: “After Altaf Hussain’s anti-Pakistan statement the government should not wait for another such diatribe from the man, who is known for stoking anti-Pakistan feelings, to act.”

He said even Farooq Sattar tried to fool the people but could not disown Altaf Hussain.

“The PML-N government should have acted firmly on this issue. It seems the federal government has given a ‘safe exit’ to MQM by releasing its leader Farooq Sattar (from Rangers custody) who tried to give an impression that Hussain has got nothing to do with MQM. The N-League patronises Mahmood Khan Achakzai-like leaders who often speak against state institutions,” he said.

Senator Agha said what Altaf Hussain had said was “unpardonable”. “We will raise this matter in the Senate and move a resolution to condemn Altaf and ban MQM,” he added.

PTI Secretary General Jehangir Tareen said the armed wing of MQM should be banned forthwith and not the party. “There is no solution to ban the party.”

PPP Senator Saeed Ghani suggested that the government should take action against the MQM chief and those involved in violent and militant activities instead of thinking about banning it. “Banning MQM will not be easy for the government as it has legal complexities,” he added.

PPP Punjab senior leader Navid Chaudhry said Farooq Sattar neither disowned Hussain nor separated himself from his ideology.

“Sattar tried to gain more time to settle things,” he said, adding PPP had never been in favour of banning any party as in the past such parties reappeared with different names.

“If the ECP is moved to ban MQM on the basis of anti-Pakistan statement, it should not allow to rename that (banned) party or allow its leaders to contest elections,” he said, adding Altaf Hussain and others should be dealt according to the law of the land for the offence they committed.

Pak Sarzameen Party leader Raza Haroon raised the question as to why Farooq Sattar did not condemn Altaf Hussain’s anti-Pakistan statement.

“Sattar just tried to fool the people as Hussain is still the chief of MQM calling the shots from London,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2016