Sindh

MQM ban case: SHC allows more time to party lawyer

He is supposed to file power of attorney duly signed by 72 MPAs and MNAs of MQM

Our Correspondent November 22, 2016

Earlier on Tuesday, the MQM Pakistan had disbanded its student wing, All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organization (APMSO), which gave birth to the party. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) allowed on Tuesday more time to the lawyer to file power of attorney duly signed by the 72 members of the national and provincial assemblies belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - Pakistan in a case regarding their disqualification over the 'anti-state' speech by party founder Altaf Hussain.

Headed by SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, the two-judge bench allowed time till December 6 while hearing a petition seeking to ban the MQM and disqualify its legislators after Altaf's anti-state speech at the MQM's hunger strike camp in Karachi on August 22.

Maulvi Iqbal Haider, who had filed the petition, alleged that MQM MNAs and MPAs had heard the anti-state speech that Altaf gave over the phone from London at a hunger strike camp outside the Karachi Press Club, in which he made 'objectionable' remarks against the solidarity of the country.

The petitioner argued that the federation of Pakistan is duty-bound to issue a notification to ban MQM in accordance with Articles 5 and 17(2) of the Constitution as MQM legislators received votes in the name of Altaf, who nominated them to contest the elections of the Senate and national and provincial assemblies, submitted Haider.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2016.