Conspiracy theory: SHC petition seeks poll bar on MQM, Qadri

Applicant accuses parties of pursuing a ‘foreign agenda’; court invites federal govt comment.

KARACHI:

As the Minhajul Quran International (MQI) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) join hands to “bring change to the country”, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought the federal government’s view on a plea seeking to bar both parties from contesting the upcoming general election for allegedly pursuing a foreign agenda.

On Sunday, MQM leaders announced their support for a call given by Dr Tahirul Qadri, head of Minhajul Quran International (MQI), for a long march towards Islamabad.

The next day, public interest litigant Haji Gul Ahmed approached the Sindh High Court seeking disqualification of both the parties from contesting the forthcoming election.

In his application, Ahmed alleges that in Tahirul Qadri’s recent public gathering, he had delivered inappropriate remarks about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Around 40 lawmakers belonging to the MQM, who were also present in the gathering, did not react to these remarks, according to Ahmed. He used this information to accuse MQM leadership of working “hand in glove” with Qadri.

The applicant also claims that both the parties are pursuing a foreign agenda, which is creating unrest in the country by provoking public sentiments on sensitive issues like religion. In his application, Ahmed seeks a directive from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declaring MQI and MQM disqualified from contesting the election.

After a preliminary hearing, the bench headed by Justice Munib Akhtar issued notice to the deputy attorney general for filing comments of the federal government over the allegations made by the applicant.

DAG Ashfaque Ahmed Tagar waived the notice in court and requested time to file the federal government’s replies. The bench granted the time, and adjourned hearing till January 11.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2013.