Karachi: Pakistan’s army on Friday warned the leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) it would take legal action against him for inciting the people against the state.

The warning by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) came after an overnight speech by Hussain which he delivered to his supporters gathered at Nine Zero, the party headquarters.

He was addressing them via phone from London, where he lives in exile.

In his late night speech, Hussain, who was reacting to a police officer’s accusations of MQM being a terrorist organisation having alleged links with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India, called upon his young followers to be prepared for a long battle.

Hussain, indirectly accused the military establishment of being behind the police officer to malign MQM and warned them that “if tyranny continues, neither the sticks, nor the badges or the caps would survive.”

He also taunted the military of surrendering to India in the 1971 war instead of laying down their lives despite taking allegiance to protect the country till their last drop of blood.

“Altaf Hussain’s speech on TV tonight containing remarks about Army & its leadership was uncalled for and disgusting, major-general Asim Bajwa, the ISPR chief, tweeted.

“Such reference to Army or its l (ea) drship as reaction to arrest of criminals, who may have links with any political party, won’t be tolerated,” he went on to tweet.

The ISPR chief further wrote: “irresponsible remarks& using media to incite the people of Pak to rise against the State-the matter will be pursued legally.”

Earlier on Thursday, Rao Anwar, a senior superintendent of police (SSP), facing fake encounter charges in the Sindh High Court, held a press conference at his office showing two hooded accused, who were activists of MQM and allegedly underwent RAW-administered training somewhere in India in 2004.

Anwar, exceeding his official brief, demanded banning MQM for its anti-state activities.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the Sindh chief minister, removed Anwar late in the evening from his position and ordered an inquiry as to why an officer became so politicised.

MQM has been under acute pressure from the security agencies for past several months. A number of raids on the party workers and headquarters were carried by the law enforcement agencies.

Hussain suspects that the actions against the party aimed at removing him as the party chief or they want to eliminate MQM.

However, the security forces and party adversaries say that MQM should eliminate the criminal and violent elements from within the party.