MQM chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: MQM
QUETTA/ KARACHI:
The Sindh Assembly adopted a joint resolution against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Friday in a broad condemnation of his appeals for intervention by foreign institutions and countries in the internal affairs of Pakistan.
The resolution – moved by Haji Shafi Jamot of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Nand Kumar of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and Samar Ali Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and also signed by Dr Sohrab Sarki of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – recommends that the provincial authorities approach the federal administration to take notice of the “highly objectionable utterances” of the MQM chief and take legal action against him.
While it is interesting to see the opposition parties moving a resolution against another opposition party, what really stood out is the ruling party in Sindh’s backing of the resolution.
Pandemonium ruled the house as MQM MPAs protesting against the resolution shouted slogans in favour of their party supremo.
The resolution also condemns the MQM’s “demand for breaking up Sindh”.
It further reads: “The derogatory language used against the Pakistan Army and the Sindh Rangers, with inviting Nato forces and the Indian government in Karachi cannot be tolerated.”
Retaliation
Soon after the resolution was passed, MQM lawmakers went to the office of the Sindh Assembly secretary and moved two identical resolutions against PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PTI chief Imran Khan over “their remarks against the army”, demanding that they be “tried for treason”.
“Asif Ali Zardari delivered a hard-hitting speech on June 16, openly criticising the Pakistan Army and threatening to wage a war against it. His speech against the army is tantamount to an attack on Pakistan. We demand that a case be registered against the PPP leader under Article 6; he should be arrested and brought back to Pakistan,” reads the resolution attached with press clippings and signed by more than two dozen MQM MPAs.
A similar resolution was tabled against the PTI chief: “Imran Khan has not only used derogatory words against army generals but has breached the sanctity of our institutions, which is equal to an attack on our security agencies. A case should be registered against him under Article 6 and he must be unseated from parliament for violating articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.”
‘Betrayal’
The atmosphere in the provincial legislature was anything but normal on Friday, as the resolution against the MQM and its chief brought back memories of a similar resolution that was adopted by the house in the 1990s, demanding action against the party.
Friday’s events were made possible by the PPP, as it changed its loyalties and voted in favour of the resolution, leaving its former coalition partner with many questions.
When the session started with Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani in seat, the MQM lawmakers were confident that the PPP would not let them down.
“PPP leaders, especially Durrani, had assured an MQM delegation that had called on the speaker a couple of days ago that they would shoot down the opposition’s resolution against Altaf and rescue the MQM,” said a source.
However, MQM-backed Leader of the Opposition Khawaja Izharul Hassan said: “The PPP has stabbed us in the back.” He said his party would provide a response to the PPP in Monday’s assembly session.
On the other hand, PPP-backed Information Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said: “We have done our job; now it’s the federal government’s turn to take action.”
He said there was no ‘Mohajir’ in Sindh. “We are all Sindhis. ‘Urdu-speaking’ is a good word, but using ‘Mohajir’ means they (the MQM) have not yet owned Pakistan.”
Arrest warrant against MQM chief
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Quetta has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the MQM chief. A petition was filed by one Khudai Rahim, resident of Pishin.
ATC-II Judge Nauroz Khan Houth has also ordered that Altaf be immediately arrested and produced in the court on August 25.
The petitioner said the recent statements issued by the MQM chief were tantamount to treason against the state.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 8th, 2015.
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