A file photo of MQM chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: MQM
KARACHI: Sindh Assembly passed on Friday resolutions condemning the anti-state remarks of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain.
The resolutions which were passed after similar resolutions were tabled in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan assemblies in the past several days, were jointly moved by opposition parties.
Read: Ruling parties submit resolution against Altaf in Balochistan Assembly
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s Samar Ali Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Shafi Jamot and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F)’s Nand Kumar jointly moved resolutions in the Sindh Assembly which were passed with majority vote. The Pakistan Peoples Party supported the resolutions.
The resolution condemned the MQM leader’s statements seeking foreign help while it demanded the provincial government to take strict legal action against him. Further, the resolution also rejected the demand raised by Altaf Hussain to divide the province.
However, soon after, MQM moved a resolution against former president Asif Ali Zardari for his remarks against the army.
MQM lawmakers protested and raised slogans in favour of their party head during the assembly proceedings. However, after majority voted in favour of the resolutions, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani adjourned the assembly session till August 10.
Addressing the media outside Sindh Assembly, leaders of opposition parties termed it a ‘historic day’, while MQM called it “a black day in the history of the Sindh assembly.” Further, opposition members also appreciated PPP lawmakers’ support for the resolution.
Sindh Information Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro said, “We have asked the federal government to take legal action against Altaf Hussain and are waiting for a response that will determine our line of action.”
The MQM party head has come under criticism for his anti-Pakistan speeches and for urging his party workers to appeal to the UN and Nato to send troops to Karachi to determine facts behind the killings of muhajirs.
On Friday, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (AJKLA) had passed a unanimous resolution against Altaf over his anti-Pakistan remarks. The joint resolution had been presented by the Opposition Leader Raja Farooq Haider Khan which was unanimously passed by both treasury and opposition benches.
Read: National outcry: AJK assembly passes resolution against Altaf
AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed had said that the government of Pakistan should take steps to get Altaf Hussain arrested through Interpol. “Altaf has changed his loyalty with Pakistan and its army which is unacceptable.”
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