MQM leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan granted bail in 22 hate speech cases

Warrants were issued against Khawaja Izharul Hasan,19 other leaders for facilitating anti-Pakistan speeches

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Monday granted bail to Muttahida Qaumi Movement's leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan in 22 cases related to anti-state hate speech.

Khawaja Izharul Hasan was granted bail against a surety of Rs10,000 in each case for seven days.

In December last year, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi issued arrest warrants against Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and 20 more party leaders for delivering and facilitating anti-Pakistan speeches.



Apart from the MQM supremo, non-bailable warrants were issued for senior leaders Farooq Sattar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Rehan Hashmi, Rashid Godil, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, Karachi mayor-elect Waseem Akhtar and 14 other leaders.



A number of cases were registered across the country following a controversial telephonic speech by Altaf in July this year. The other MQM leaders were booked for allegedly facilitating and arranging the gathering. MQM’s Rauf Siddiqui has already obtained bail in these cases.

According to the charge sheet, the MQM chief was conspiring to wage war against the state by inciting people. Altaf had criticised the paramilitary Rangers over the ongoing operation in Karachi and cast doubts on the efficiency of the targeted crackdown.