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ATC issues arrest warrants for MQM chief, 20 others

Court directs authorities to arrest and produce the accused in court on January 18

Zubair Ashraf January 11, 2016

PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: A Karachi-based anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and 20 others over the former's disparaging remarks against Pakistan Army in July 2015.

The ATC issued arrest warrants for a “criminal conspiracy against the state” and ordered the authorities to arrest and produce the accused in the court on January 18, sources told The Express Tribune.

The warrants were issued by the court after police submitted a challan of the case registered at the Shah Latif police station.

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According to Radio Pakistan, senior party leaders Waseem Akhtar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Qamar Mansoor, Salman Mujahid are included in the list of those whose arrest warrants have been issued.

On July 12, 2015, Altaf had allegedly issued derogatory remarks against the security agencies during his address to party workers at the party headquarters, Nine Zero. Following the remarks, countrywide protests were held against him with a number of cases being filed and several condemning resolutions being passed at the national and provincial pssemblies.

Altaf Hussain criticises Rangers’ role in Karachi

During his inflammatory speech, the MQM supremo had cast doubts on the efficacy of the Rangers operation in Karachi likening the conduct of the paramilitary force with how the Indian army treats people in the disputed Kashmir territory.

“Rangers personnel treat people in Karachi exactly how the Indian troops behave in occupied Kashmir,” the MQM chief had said.

He also accused the paramilitary forces of behaving like a mafia in the country’s financial hub.

COMMENTS (3)

Napier Mole | 8 years ago | Reply Some people - and institutions - never learn! For God's sake, have they ever heard of the term Law of Diminishing Utility. Every negative propaganda is now boomeranging but still they fail to learn.

Zaidi, Iqbal Hadi | 8 years ago | Reply What to say and what not to say! In my beloved Pakistan lower court issues non bail-able arrest warrants but the accused approach higher court and get bail before arrest approved. This gives birth to few very startling questions which ought to be answered and not ignored to be honest. Why the court did not issue bail able arrest warrants in the 1st instance meaning by the court should provide an opportune to the accused to get him / she saved if he / she wishes so? When a court issues non bail able arrest warrants then how and why it allows the accused to approach higher court and get bail before arrest approved? Now in MQM case, ATC issued arrest warrants against many MQM leaders and some of them have already got their bail approved by higher court which means that they cannot be arrested and thus ATC orders to arrest them becomes null and void. After crossing so many hurdles if at all as and when the court proceedings start, there will be so many bumps duly punctuated with ups and downs in between cup and the saucer that the case may not come to some conclusion in any case. At times there shall not be any witness to come forward for testimony and or the investigation officer is changed or a mew lawyer is appointed or the accused turns sick and or even case documents are found to be missing and thus at one stage the case goes right under the carpet or more correctly buries under the ground. Ironically this all is available to the one who is rich and influential and knows the art how to deal and come out with face on smile when facing odds but think of the poor innocent poor commoner who is implicated by someone for none of his fault but being economic trodden he goes behind the bars till he breaths his last. Will it be a test case for our Judiciary or MQM or both is to be seen in near future? I very strongly support my judicial system and wish that come what may its will and writ must be maintained and prevail upon under all circumstances unless and until we wish to undermine its authority and status. Incidentally, without going into the knotty and gritty of Altaf Hussain of MQM it is a fact that many times he has hurled stones on Pakistan leaders either in power or out of power including those wearing uniform which cannot and should not be tolerated whatsoever. Don’t we remember that few times Altaf sitting in London and holding British passport has very violently criticized our rulers on many counts and then he rendered apology just to save his skin. Till when will we pocket such Let us prove that Pakistan is the country where all are equal before law and none is above the laws of the country. Long live Pakistan Judiciary, Pakistan Paindabad! Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi.x.diplomat@hotmail.com

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