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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Ban on speeches: LHC seeks fresh affidavit from MQM chief</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/989753/ban-on-speeches-lhc-seeks-fresh-affidavit-from-mqm-chief</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/989753/ban-on-speeches-lhc-seeks-fresh-affidavit-from-mqm-chief#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 15 00:55:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Full bench says colour of affidavit pages should be white, not green]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Lahore High Court (LHC) has objected on the affidavit submitted by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, observing that it was not the affidavit which was sought earlier over his speeches against state institutions.

The order was passed on Wednesday by a full bench, headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, on several petitions seeking permanent ban on the MQM supremo over his derogatory speeches against the state institutions including Rangers and army.

As the proceedings commenced, Asma Jahangir, counsel for Altaf, appeared before the bench and submitted the affidavit of her client.

The colour of affidavit pages was green to which Justice Naqvi raised objection, saying white papers are used in LHC for affidavit. Asma replied that she will check it.

However, she said that the court has banned speeches of her client which is against the Constitution. Upon this, the justice observed that the court has banned those who were speaking against the Constitution.

The attorney said that speaking is a fundamental right under Article 19-A of the Constitution. At this point, Justice Naqvi said that the ban has been imposed on the violation of Article 19-A.

“It is for the first time in the country’s history that such ban has been imposed,” Asma said.

The MQM leader’s counsel contended that she was not issued any written order according to which she could submit the affidavit.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2015.]]>
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			<title>Altaf Hussain’s speech: Rivals heap scorn, PPP sees upside</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/249871/altaf-hussain%e2%80%99s-speech-rivals-heap-scorn-ppp-sees-upside</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/249871/altaf-hussain%e2%80%99s-speech-rivals-heap-scorn-ppp-sees-upside#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 11 Sep 11 04:31:55 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[PML-N chief counters allegations; ANP leadership denies charges of receiving foreign funds for elections.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[As the din from ongoing political recriminations grows shriller in the country, the Awami National Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz gave acerbic responses to Friday’s marathon speech by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain.


In a bad cop-good cop routine – more often associated with the government – the Awami National Party (ANP) leadership moved to rubbish allegations levelled at the party while the PPP leadership welcomed the address by Altaf as a step towards reconciliation.

At the same time, the PML-N countered MQM allegations by accusing the party of supporting PCO judges against the spirit of the Charter of Democracy.

At a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, ANP provincial president Afrasiab Khattak rejected Altaf’s allegations and alleged that the MQM chief had the “blood of Pashtuns on his hands”. Addressing allegations of the ANP misleading Pashtuns, Khattak said that the MQM chief should consider the thoughts of those watching Pashtun bodies from Karachi piling up in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Balochistan.

“Nobody has killed more Pashtuns than the MQM,” said the ANP leader, adding that the “ANP didn’t need a certificate of patriotism from Altaf Hussain.” He further said that Altaf had ‘verbally abused’ all political parties during his press conference except for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) so that the MQM could get ‘seats’ from them.

Nawaz Sharif in Nawabshah

Chief of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif turned the tables on the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain on Saturday, accusing his party of supporting PCO judges against the spirit of the Charter of Democracy. “Altaf Hussain should know that the CoD was signed before the action on Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. We signed it in 2006 and the CJ’s [restoration] movement began in 2007,” Nawaz said, while briefing the media in Benazirabad on Saturday.

Responding to his party’s position on the Karachi violence, Nawaz praised the Supreme Court for taking the suo motu notice of the violence. “The faces behind the bloodshed in Karachi should be unmasked and brought to justice.”

Nawaz also emphasised the need to ‘do away’ with politics in order to restore peace in Karachi. “There should be no politics. Forget politics and save Pakistan,” he said.

Challenge to return

ANP leader Senator Zahid Khan said there was a shadow of fear around Altaf Hussain during his press conference, adding that he acted like “a person who does not know what to say.” He further said that if anyone had any allegations against the ANP they should come to the courts.

Khan said in response to Altaf Hussain’s statement on “foreign powers” working against Pakistan, adding that the MQM chief himself was a national of one of the powers he had mentioned. “Altaf should tear up his passport and documents and return to Pakistan if there was such a conspiracy,” he said.

Responding to the MQM chief’s statement that his party did not put up containers in the city on May 12, Khan said the MQM had its own home minister in place at that time and that the ports and shipping minister was from their party too. “The containers were taken from Port Qasim. The ports and shipping minister was from the MQM at that time too,” said Khan.

Reiterating the demand for a probe into the episode of May 12, 2007, he said without investigations into the incident peace could not be established in Karachi.

‘Role in Imran Farooq’s murder’

ANP leader Shahi Syed hit back at Hussain’s speech with an accusation of his own, saying Altaf Hussain was involved in the murder of Dr Imran Farooq, adding that international agencies had proof on the subject. Speaking to the media in Karachi, he said the MQM should focus on national politics.

Rubbishing all claims, Syed said MQM failed to address any of Zulfiqar Ali Mirza’s allegations, even after holding three press conferences, adding that Altaf’s allegations had come because the ANP lawyer had provided solid facts to the chief justice during the suo motu hearing.

‘Good cop’

Welcoming the address by the MQM chief, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) termed Hussain’s speech as a positive and important step towards democracy and the strengthening of its institutions.  “Altaf Hussain is a key political figure and MQM is crucial for strengthening and continuation of democracy,” said senior PPP leader Fauzia Wahab.

The PPP leader believed that Hussain’s speech was an important step forward and crucial for the country’s politics, adding that there was hope in the PPP camp that MQM would soon return to the government as a coalition partner and play a positive role in the strengthening of democratic institutions.

(Additional input from Peer Muhammad in Islamabad and Manzoor Ali in Peshawar)

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>A press conference in London</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/249457/a-press-conference-in-london</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/249457/a-press-conference-in-london#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Sep 11 18:42:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[During his address, Mr Hussain said many things but most were not relevant or earth-shattering.]]>
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				<![CDATA[We are used to many curious political events. But the press conference addressed by MQM chief Altaf Hussain over Skype from London took the cake in more ways than one. While supporters gathered at Karachi watched with a kind of reverence usually reserved for religious events, many others saw the antics and the manner in which the speech was delivered as something that they had never seen before, and would unlikely to see ever again. This is not least because during his over three-hour-long speech, the MQM chief sang at least two songs, and did a semi-dance routine while seated, as he tried to make a point.

During his address, Mr Hussain said many things but most were not relevant or earth-shattering. Indeed one wonders why he chose to speak at his first media conference in years anyway. He partially refuted the allegations made against him by Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, but certainly took his time to come to any kind of point. He also did not answer questions directly about the allegations against him. The most ominous message delivered spoke of a possible end to the relative calm Karachi is currently seeing if there were further attacks on Muhajirs and if the government chose to do nothing about them. This of course only reinforces the perception among many that the party, perhaps more so than others, can control the violence in Karachi. As for the talk of victimisation of Muhajirs, the community has now lived in Pakistan for generations, with many born after 1947. The effort of all parties should be focused around ensuring a merger with the mainstream of a society which has at any rate adopted Urdu as a principal language rather than attempting to carve open tensions which carry a potential for creating further unrest. Furthermore, that the MQM chief lashed out at virtually every other party except the PPP suggests that he is keeping open the option of rejoining the coalition. But what he said would have done little to build political harmony in a city where the parties desperately need to join hands and sit together so they can work out a means to end the killings. That no gesture to suggest that his party would be willing to move towards this much-needed reconciliation was forthcoming, is perhaps a worrying development in itself.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Altaf has Pashtun blood on his hands: ANP</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/249433/altaf-has-pashtun-blood-on-his-hands-anp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/249433/altaf-has-pashtun-blood-on-his-hands-anp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 10 Sep 11 11:44:10 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Shaheryar Popalzai]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=249433</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ANP leaders respond to Altaf Hussain's allegations, say party does not need certificate of patriotism from him.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Awami National Party (ANP) leader Afrasiab Khattak on Saturday said Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain had the blood of Pashtun on his hands.

Responding to Hussan’s allegations of the ANP misleading Pashtuns, Khattak said “aap ka Pashtun-duhsman chehra sab kay samnay hay.” He said the MQM chief should consider what the people think of him looking at the number of Pashtun bodies coming to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan from Karachi.

“Nobody has killed more Pashtuns than the MQM,” said the ANP leader.

Speaking on the MQM chief’s allegations of US funding of the ANP during elections, Khattak said that the number of assets the MQM and its people owned in the United Kingdom and the letter written to then Prime Minister Tony Blair was something to be questioned.

“Where is the MQM getting the money for all this?”

Khattak said that the ANP would not rest until the killers of May 12 have been arrested.

The ANP leader said that Altaf Hussain had “verbally abused” all political parties during his press conference except for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and this was because the MQM could get “seats” from them.

No ethnic fighting in Karachi: Shahi Syed

ANP leader Shahi Syed said there was no ethnic fighting in Karachi and it was the MQM that was targeting workers of his party, PPP, Jamaat-e-Islami and other political parties.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, he said the MQM should focus on national politics and not blackmail the government.

Syed said Altaf Hussain’s allegations had come because the ANP lawyer had provided solid facts to the chief justice during the suo motu hearing.

He said the MQM should speak with evidence and respond to the allegations made by Zulfiqar Mirza.

Syed said Mirza had placed the Holy Quran on his head when he made the allegations and Hussain had “danced and disrespected” the Quran during his address.

Speaking on the bus burning incident in Kemari, the ANP leader said that the MQM’s claim of only Urdu-speaking being killed was false. He said two Pashtuns and three Katchi community members had also been killed.

The ANP leader then brought forward witnesses who he said were relatives of the two men killed. He said the purpose of bringing forward the witnesses was to prove that Urdu-speaking people were not the only ones who had been killed.

“ANP does not need a certificate of patriotism from Altaf Hussain”

ANP leader Zahid Khan, speaking to the media earlier in Islamabad, said his part did not need a certificate of patriotism from Altaf Hussain or anyone else.

He said if anyone had any allegations against the ANP they should come to the courts.

Khan said everyone had seen the way Altaf Hussain had acted during the press conference yesterday.

“First he reference the Holy Quran, then he spoke about the Prophet (pbuh). I am a layman, but if the muftis keep quiet on the way he spoke, it will be damaging for the religion and society.”

The ANP leader said there was shadow of fear around Altaf Hussain during the press conference and he acted like “a person who does not know what to say.”

He alleged that the MQM leader had tried to impress the judiciary and had tried to create pressure by saying he would set his workers free in Karachi.

Khan said his party supported freedom for the media and that his party had never taken action against anyone who had spoken against them.

The ANP leader said none of the MQM leaders were able to respond to the allegations against them and Altaf Hussain did not want to respond to them.

Responding to Altaf Hussain’s statement on “foreign powers” working against Pakistan, Khan said that the MQM leader was a national of one of the powers he had mentioned and that he should tear up his passport and documents and return to Pakistan if there was such a conspiracy.

On the map shown by the MQM chief during the press conference, the ANP leader said the map had already been printed by the media in 1998.

“If you look at the press conference, he had nothing to say. He did not warn the nation and did not tell them anything.”

Khan said that it would be better for the country if a judicial committee is formed for an inquiry on which political parties are running on foreign aid.

Responding to the MQM chief’s statement that his party did not put up containers in the city on May 12, Khan said the MQM had its own home minister in place at that time and that the ports and shipping minister was from their party too.

“The containers were taken from Port Qasim. The ports and shipping minister was from the MQM at that time too,” said Khan.

The ANP leader said the powers given to the Rangers should be stay.

He said the notice taken by the chief justice and the operations in Karachi had helped improve the situation in the city.]]>
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			<title>London calling: Altaf Hussain hits back at friends, foes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/248847/altaf-hussain-addresses-televised-press-conference</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/248847/altaf-hussain-addresses-televised-press-conference#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 11 18:59:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Expresses fear for life, blames Peoples Amn Committee for violence, ANP for foreign funding.]]>
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				<![CDATA[It was one of the few press conferences Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has addressed since his self-imposed exile in London, and one that few will forget.


Hussain made no explosive statements, but one was fairly telling of how the next few months may look for Karachi.

Referring to the number of Urdu-speaking community members who have been killed in Karachi in the past few months, Hussain warned that “if action is not taken, I will take back the appeal for calm issued to MQM workers.”

“Are you scared of going into the areas where they have killed Mohajirs?” he asked, addressing his party.

Hussain repeated the comment during the question and answer session, and said that if the MQM workers are free, they are free to make whatever demands they want.

The MQM leader repeatedly addressed many of the allegations made against the party in recent years, but chose not to refer to the ones made by former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza in the past couple of weeks.

He repeatedly addressed President Asif Ali Zardari, who he referred to as a brother, as well as Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence head Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha.

“Where are you, Chief Justice sahib? Where are you, COAS sahib?” he said, questioning why no one had taken the issue of Mohajirs being killed on the basis of their ethnicity seriously.

The MQM chief also referred to the ongoing operation in Karachi by the Rangers and police. “Truckloads of Mohajirs were taken away from Baldia Town, Liaquatabad and Yousaf Plaza (in the Federal B area). We did not protest.”

He made it clear that if anyone belonging to the MQM was found guilty of being involved in violence in Karachi, they expected law enforcement agencies to deal with them.

Hussain spoke out against Lyari’s Peoples Amn Committee, alleging that its members had terrorised Lyari’s residents and were involved in the brutal torture and killings of Mohajirs. “We are not against the people of Lyari. Water supply came to Lyari because of the MQM, not the Pakistan Peoples Party.” Videos showing alleged violence by militants in Lyari were screened for the media before Hussain’s address began.

(Read: Political dance of death)

Much of his criticism was directed towards Nawaz Sharif, the head of his own faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N). Hussain questioned why, as a signatory to the Charter of Democracy (CoD), Sharif had supported and campaigned for the restoration of the CJP when it contravened the CoD. He also questioned the leadership of the Awami National Party (ANP), who he said was misleading Pathans in Peshawar and Karachi. He also claimed that the US had paid ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan millions of dollars to win the last general elections.

He answered, in a veiled way, the allegation that the MQM was involved in violence targeting Pathans. “Why would I be an enemy of Pathans that I have never met, heard or seen?”

He also made a veiled reference to human rights organisation leaders who had “crushed human rights”.

Hussain said he believed his life was under threat. “I will speak freely today because I do not know if I will be alive tomorrow to say this.”

The MQM leader answered the accusations made against the party for its alleged role in the May 12, 2007 violence, and directly addressing the CJP, implored that the MQM’s rally that day was neither in favour, nor against him.

He alleged that the violence was carried out by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) who worked with the MQM’s Haqiqi faction. He also described the ‘Thunder Squad’, an alleged wing of the JI that was involved in violence.

When asked if he would accept the verdict in the suo motu case that is being heard by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Hussain said that they would have to wait and see.

Hussain believes Pakistan is being conspired against by foreign forces who are working with Pakistanis. While he declined to name any of the countries, a sheaf of papers explained his beliefs – which included articles on various future scenarios about Pakistan and a map of the ‘new Middle East and Pakistan’, which has circulated among conspiracy theorists for the past decade. He said that he and the MQM were ‘standing in the way’ of this conspiracy to break up Pakistan, and that powerful forces were behind this push.

He also said he may not have evidence for many of his claims, but would be willing to apologise were he proved wrong. “I do not lie.”

Altaf Hussain also spoke about the investigation into the murder of Dr Imran Farooq. “We are constantly in touch with the local police and investigation team. Whenever we get information we convey this to them, whatever we can share. The Scotland Yard is a very experienced and good agency.”

Hussain also declined to name a successor to his party’s leadership.

He remained diplomatic in questions about President Zardari. In response to a question by The Express Tribune about the MQM’s demands of the PPP that would need to be met for it to rejoin the government, Hussain said that the party wants the PPP to take action against those who are torturing and terrorising innocent citizens. He also said that he had spoken to the president to ask about why the Federal Investigation Agency were reporting on the MQM to UK’s agencies, and that the president had investigated and reported that this was not happening.

He also hit out at clerics who misled people, saying that they did not explain religion properly to people. His address opened with a declaration – “The history of Pakistan that has been taught to you is lies, deceit and deception.” Recalling the August 11, 1947 address to the Constituent Assembly, the MQM chief said the secular and liberal-leaning Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s words had been distorted. While explaining religious contexts, he said, “I did not care about fatwas yesterday, and I will not care about them today.”

Hussain also spoke out against high profile anchorpersons, who he said are set on ensuring that ‘one party will not be allowed to operate in Karachi’, while expressing his admiration for reporters and camerapersons who risk their lives to report.

(Read: Who will rescue Karachi?)

Hussain, speaking via a Skype connection, talked for a few hours before the floor opened up for questions.

The Khursheed Begum Secretariat hall was bursting at the seams, as reporters, camerapersons and MQM leaders, including Dr Farooq Sattar, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Waseem Akhtar, Faisal Sabzwari, Nasreen Jalil, Mustafa Kamal and Wasay Jalil jostled for space to listen to Hussain. Even though he has not directly addressed reporters in years, Hussain was in a jovial mood and made several jokes and bantered with reporters.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2011.]]>
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