At a fiery press conference, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders and activists claimed on Sunday that instead of Altaf Hussain, millions of Karachi’s residents will appear before the Supreme Court of Pakistan on January 7.
MQM coordination committee deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar, federal minister for ports and shipping Babar Ghuari, and other leaders claimed that the apex court’s decision to serve contempt of court notice to Altaf, and to summon him on January 7, was “biased.”
Carrying placards, banners and posters, MQM activists demanded that the court withdraw the notice, as it was against the mandate of the people of Karachi.
Talking about an apex court’s judge’s remarks that constituencies in Karachi needed to be redrawn, Dr Sattar said that the process should be undertaken throughout the country. The census needs to be completed before delimitation, stressed the MQM leader.
A five-member bench of the apex court, led by Justice Anwer Zaheer Jamali, had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on November 29 to redraw constituencies in Karachi. A separate bench also asked the ECP for fresh door-to-door voter verification in Karachi with the help of the army and the Frontier Corps. Altaf had called the directives “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”.
The ECP then called a meeting of political parties on November 30 to get them on board on the delimitation issue. While representatives of all other parties, including those of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, came out in favour of the apex court’s directives. MQM legislators, however, had walked out of that meeting after demanding to see the “exact order” of the apex court after which the ECP had convened that meeting.
On Sunday, Sattar criticised the ECP for proceeding with redrawing constituencies in the city.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (42)
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How dare a court challenge Altaf bhai? He is (and has been for decades) above the law.
@Navaid ..... The people who migrated were Muhajirs but their children who are born here in Pakistan, how can they be Muhajir? I seriously dont understand the concept of Muhajirs still and creation of any province on the basis of ethnicity is a serious blunder and I am sure it will not happen.
.Only Punjab is supporting Chief justice who obtained Balochistan domicile by Fraud and who is above all law referenve Arsalan case. All three other provincial assemblies should Pass a no confidence resolution against him.
Do let me know when you are planning to go. I would make sure that I would be at work that day even if the office is empty.
The process of further breaking Pakistan has begun.
We have not learned any lesson from breaking Quaid-e-Azam's Pakistan in 1971.
The Political Leaders have gone wild and are 'Mast' in implementations their own agenda. No body cares for Pakistan.
Under the present circumstances it has become inevitable to impose Martial Law to save the remaining Pakistan.
I urge Altaf hussain to request his supporters to protest by burning effigies of chief justice in streets and chanting slogans against the court while carrying street demonstrations.
Is Altaf Hussain on the path of "political martyrdom"?? Is it respect of Law?
"millions of Karachi’s residents will appear before the Supreme Court of Pakistan on January 7." Again a threat, a show of strength. Why cant these goons stop threatening? They blackmail their allies, threaten everyone from CJ to journalists to lawyers. In some cases carry out threats and actually, kill. Karachiites are now getting sick of their strong arm tactics. With recent events their chief has been exposed. Their popularity in waning fast.
Like anyone else MQM gang must obey laws of the land. SC is absolutely correct, it's about time that we as Pakistani (irrespective of color, ethnic background, tribe or faith holders) should learn to live within the parameters of laws, no jungle laws or mob laws could be tolerated. You want live on this land than obey it's rules, no matter who you are.
@Randomstranger
'Guess who is coming to dinner' is right. This CJ is a man of the sharifs and everyone knows how racist their party is against the Karachiites. We still remember the 1992 killings. Why is it that first Musharraf and Now Altaf Husain is being framed by this CJ? Why this bias against Karachites? just on the orders of a racist party whose election slogan was ...Jag Punjabi Jag..not Jag Pakistani Jag..shame on such tribalistic parties and shame on those who support them.
Pakistani middle class particularly belonging to the larger province continue to misrepresent situation. Has Altaf Hussain been called to answer for an alleged crime? No! He has been called for under Blasphemy law which clearly now extends to the Judges, their families and registrar.
@Pakistani: Nice try!
@Randomstranger: You need to go into the roots of CJ. He is actually from Faisalabad but after doing law went to Balochistan.
@Nawaz But: Your comment is indeed very racist and calls for violence. It is because of people like you that there are so many problems in Karachi. Remember yesterday was anniversary of fall of East Pakistan and people with your attitude were responsible. Wake up!!
why these people are so afraid, they know now that Karachi is slipping out of their hands and the black mailing and killings will have to stop. Enough is enough, their leader sits in London and pulls strings of these puppets who do some very nasty things to other communities in Karachi. Kudos to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Let them come to Islamabad, the CJ of Pakistan is not impressed by their bullying tactics.Remember how these thugs confined the CJ of Pakistan to the Karachi Air Port and went killing spree.
What if This black cow is arrested by Scotland yard by Jan 07-2013? I am dead sure he ordered killing of Dr. Imran because he was feeling threatening from Dr. Imran.We are with SC judges. He should face the music.
@Guesswhoiscomingfordinner
"@Uza , well said .Some people instead of reading the writing on the wall ,blowing the age old trumpet “mai na manoon ” because of the attachment of the CJ and his comrades to a particualr lingusitic group ."
I can't believe moderators allow these people to post such racist and hateful remarks. CJ is a settler, and he most probably speaks in Balochi, so he has nothing to do with Punjabis, whom this ethnic party loves to hate. Shame on the people who still don't call themselves "Pakistani" even after 60 years of independence.
Majority of Karachiites don't endorse MQM.
@Uza Syed: I dont know about your will but it was my will to go out on Saturday but couldnt because some goons.
@israr: so why not SC banned them at once why this political game grow up grow up grow up all opposing parties want to play from behind the SC shoulders this is ridiculous it is the easiest and shortest way to use SC for political gains.......unacceptable.
@israr: Those who physically attacked on SC is respectable today what a hypocrisy obviously this is bias decision
If Hazrat Umer RA can appear why not registrar supreme court infront of Public Accounts Committee to show the record of funds of SC?
shame should be on those who support killers and thugs,,,,,,,,they are at the bottam of humanity,,,,,,,
The decision is bias off course why this judiciary never summoned Faisal abidi for contempt? Because he have all the proofs of corruption of our Chief Justice and son? And also why this court never issued contempt notice to Asfandyar Wali who recently in public meetings We don't accept LHC decision on Bagh Dam and will not accept Supreme Court decision on it as well.
@Guesswhoiscomingfordinner: "God help Pakistan." ----- But, why? Can you give one good reason for His intervening in something which must protect itself from as you rightly point out, "blindfolded chauvisist aroun" "friends" we I don't know if folks with daggers piercing your heart can still be mistaken for "friends".
i love railway miniter bilour. more than ever before.no railway means no mode for "millions" of bhai's of altaf bhai to come to islamabad.
@Uza , well said .Some people instead of reading the writing on the wall ,blowing the age old trumpet "mai na manoon " because of the attachment of the CJ and his comrades to a particualr lingusitic group .
Arent these the same people who declared Mujib the "traitor " , devastated Baluchistan and yet have the indecency to call the popular Balochistan uprising " deed of SOME miscreants '".
God help Pakistan .Who needs foe with blindfolded chauvinist friends around .
Right on! This exactly what must be done. Everyone who can talk and walk must now walk the talk. Go on and roll over every street and roads to the Supreme Court where not so 'supreme' judges stick around and spit venom against us. We can not and would never allow anyone contempt our will. Will of the people is superior to any courts in the judicial system; the Supreme will of the people must prevail over the will of a court which does not respect our constitution, no 'delimitation' without 'census' and no Karachi specific anti-people orders can have any constitutional legitimacy.
Karachi walo ko deewaar se lagaya ja raha hae, hamesha ki tarha. Karachi dushmani !!!!!!!! Karachi walo ko samandar me phenko.
How long this terririzstion of...... People, govt., trader s...media And now judges will continue by mqm........ When will Karachi people will rise against these bunch of terrorists
@Atif Eajz: Hazrat Umar R.A appeared before a court at Medina to clarify his position against a complaint. Why our politicians can't appear??
I am hearing the ringing of the bells - Hazrat Ali (R.A) once said "kufr ka nizaam chal sakta hey zulm ka nizaam nahi chal sakta"
CJ is just representing one particualr province and the above comments support the hypothesis .
"...millions of Karachi’s residents will appear before the Supreme Court of Pakistan on January 7"
What mode of transportation are they planning on using for these millions, flying carpets? :)
In any case, the people are with the judiciary on this one, so good luck to them.
Foolish order and ridiculous timing by SCP.Meaningless and useless order is not going to accomplish anything at all except for creating drama. MQM must thank SCP for diverting peoples attention from Dr. Imran's case and providing excellent opportunity to MQM for luring back its voters by playing victim.
'Biased' decision ? Seems to be one of the most correct, courageous and truthful decisions. May Allah protect the family and friends of CJ from the wrath of these gangsters
Altaf Hussain called this as UNDEMOCRATIC.....Can someone remind him that he got the Brisitsh passport with oath to serve and protect the queen. Does PAKISTAN'S deocracy, LAW or CONSTITUTION means something to him a cent... NOT AT ALL
they can't ready i guess
When PM can appear before the court in contempt case then why can't MQM Chief !!! Nobody is above the law. We support Judiciary.
MQM, thank you always for the entertainment :)