London: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain advised leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to bring their own house in order instead of hurling threats at him.
“Instead of threatening me, rulers should look into their own affairs,” MQM’s website quoted Altaf as saying during his telephonic address to party workers in Hyderabad.
Altaf’s statement came following Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s criticism of the MQM chief over his alleged anti-Pakistan statements.
“False and baseless allegations are being levelled against me,” the MQM chief lamented.
Claiming his speeches may be banned, the MQM chief added, “I may be sent to prison as fake cases are being levelled against me.”
Further, clarifying his earlier statements, Altaf said he never spoke against the country but only against oppression. “I am not afraid of death. I owe my life to Allah and party’s movement,” he added.
“I may get killed through mafias but you must keep the movement alive in case I am targeted,” the MQM chief said, urging his workers to be patient and to never take the law in their own hands.
In response to the interior minister’s statement against the party chief, MQM questioned why Nisar was not infuriated when former president Asif Ali Zardari used derogatory language against the armed forces.
Announcing the party’s decision to stage a protest outside the Karachi Press Club today (Tuesday), party leader Dr Farooq Sattar said in a press conference that conspiracies to separate Mohajirs and Altaf would never succeed.
The federal interior minister had come out all guns blazing against MQM chief, comparing the latest outburst of the London-based leader to the anti-Pakistan statements of hostile countries. Comparing Altaf’s recent disapproval of the security agencies with other countries particularly India, the interior minister said the MQM leader’s anger and desperation had reached its climax as the British authorities were tightening the noose around him.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had also criticised Altaf for issuing ‘irresponsible statements’ from London, saying his tirade against state institutions “was not permissible in any way”. Talking to a news channel, the minister had said he respected the MQM’s vote bank but it did not mean the party chief could criticise anyone and then seek forgiveness the next day.
Two MQM workers remanded
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday, remanded two MQM party workers in police custody for 14 days.
Abid Ali and Jamil had been arrested from Baldia sector and are allegedly involved in various terrorist activities.
