Karachi: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) Monday admitted a treason case against dozens of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders and activists, alleging abatement of violence and raising anti-Pakistan slogans.
The paramilitary Rangers had investigated the August 22 violence in Karachi, in which MQM chief Altaf Hussain allegedly incited hundreds of supporters and workers to attack media houses and chanted slogans against Pakistan.
The Rangers registered cases against more than 50 people, including senior MQM leaders Qamar Mansoor, Kanwar Naveed, and Shahid Pasha.
Khawja Izhurl Hasan, the opposition leader in the provincial assembly, was also named in the case but he obtained bail in three cases. The police had arrested Hasan, but later released him on non-availability of evidence.
The Sindh government has also approved appointment of two special prosecutors, who would plead the Rangers’ case in the ATC.
The August 22 speech by Hussain jolted the powerful MQM and the party had to to endure a strong political setback consequently.
The day after the speech, Farooq Sattar, Hasan and other leaders distanced the MQM in Pakistan from its London leaders, from where Hussain had been running the party during decades in self-exile.
Senate resolution
The Senate, or the upper house of the parliament recently passed a resolution against Hussain during a session in which, in addition to the political adversaries of the party, MQM’s own senators also raised their voices to express their solidarity with the motion.
The Senate resolution called for initiating a treason case against Hussain, besides strong condemnation of his statements on August 22.
Various provincial assemblies including Sindh, where MQM enjoys a strong presence, had adopted the resolutions against Hussain’s anti-Pakistan statements.
