ISLAMABAD: The Mutta­hida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has submitted a resolution both in the National Assembly and Senate secretariats seeking disqualification of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for what it called “spreading” hatred between provinces.

Khalid Maqbool and Syed Ali Raza Abidi presented the resolutions in the National Assembly while Senator Tahir Mashhadi presented it before the Senate Secretariat, Mr Abidi told Dawn.

He said the party would take up the matter at the next National Assembly session. “We will seek support of all parliamentary parties in parliament for disqualification of the KP chief minister,” he said.

In the resolution, the MQM called for action against the chief minister under Article 6 of the Constitution, which concerns high treason.

The party accuses KP chief minister of ‘spreading’ hatred among provinces

Article 6 says: “Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason. (2) Any person aiding or abetting (or collaborating) the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason. (2A) An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court, including the Supreme Court and a High Court. (3) Majlis-i-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.”

The MQM resolution says: “This house is of the view that the government should initiate proceeding under Article 6 of the Constitution against Mr Pervez Khattak, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for his irresponsible statement provoking provincialism, creating inter-provincial hatred. Condemnable threats given by him against the integrity and security of the country, derogatory and rebellious remarks against our beloved homeland. This house condemns his act in the strongest terms and demands immediate action under article 6 of the constitution and his disqualification as CM and MPA.”

Mr Abidi said since CM Khattak had endangered national integrity and security, he should be disqualified as chief minister and member of provincial assembly.

The KP chief minister gave a controversial statement when he was leading his party workers’ rally proceeding to Islam­abad to take part in the PTI’s planned lockdown.

However, the rally was intercepted by the Punjab police and the Frontier constabulary on Nov 1 at Burhan, on Islamabad-Peshawar motorway, where security personnel resorted to heavy teargas shelling, forcing the agitators to retreat and return to Swabi.

Published in Dawn November 5th, 2016