Symbol of reproach: UK asked to take action against Altaf, says Rashid

Says disowned MQM leader has become a symbol of reproach for his own people

LAHORE: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday said Pakistan has asked the United Kingdom to take action against Altaf Hussain, the now disowned chief of the MQM.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of 16th Textile Asia International Exhibition in Lahore, he said Altaf’s hateful and inflammatory speeches were the reason media houses in Karachi were attacked. He recalled that in the past, Altaf’s single call caused shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes or the killing of innocent citizens.“Altaf Hussain has now become a symbol of reproach as his own people avoid taking his name. He can no more close down Karachi. He can’t even display his pictures here,” he said.

Rashid said restoring peace in Karachi could not have become possible had Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not given a nod for the Karachi operation. “After assuming the Prime Minister’s office, Nawaz Sharif had spent three consecutive days in the port city and took on board all political parties, including PPP, MQM, PTI, JI, JUI-F, and ANP as well as the business community, civil society and media for launching the operation to purge Karachi of terrorism, targeted killings, extortion and street crimes.”

He said before the PML-N government, Karachi used to wear a deserted look on Eid and other gala days but for the last two years, its markets, shopping malls, and bazaars remained open throughout nights during even Eid days.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2016.