NA Body to Take Legal Action Against Altaf

The Standing Committee on Defence made the decision to take legal action against Altaf Hussain, the chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) over the recent statements that he made against the Pakistan Army. On May 1st, in his televised speech, the mercurial leader of the MQM had criticized the military and claimed that his party had always been discrimination conducted against his party. A sharp reaction was drawn from all quarters, which also included the top command in the Pakistan Army, because of the controversial statements.

Led by Shaikh Rohail Asghar, the committee strongly condemned the anti-Army comments made by Altaf in his televised speech and a resolution was passed against him. Members of the community spoke up in the National Assembly today and said that strict action needs to be taken against the chief of the MQM for making such statements. The Defence Committee of the National Assembly was assured by the Secretary Defence, (retd) Lieutenant General Mohammad Alam Khattak that legal action would be pursued against Altaf Hussain for his inflaming remarks.

Khattak said that the stance of the Ministry of Defence against Altaf Hussain’s statements is similar to that of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). Asfandyar Bhindara, a member of the standing committee raised objections over the statements made by the chief of MQM during the meeting and demanded that legal action be taken against him. His views were endorsed by Chairman Committee Sheikh Rohail Asghar. Sanjay Parwani of MQM argued that this wasn’t a suitable forum for passing the resolution, but Asghar said it was.