File photo of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: FILE
“Returning officers have the authority to clear a candidates nomination papers or disqualify him, but he has no right to ask personal or appalling questions,” Hussain said.
He further requested the Supreme Court and the parliament to explain what 'the ideology of Pakistan' is because “I am not well-informed, I don’t know the history of the ideology of Pakistan or where it is written.”
“I don’t have an issue with returning officers asking questions, after all this is their job...what I am against is the questions they ask,” he added.
He also condemned the disqualification of a candidate over allegations of writing articles against the Two Nation Theory, and the inexcusable and personal questions asked by the returning officers.
Altaf pointed out that the papers of many suspects involved in the Asghar Khan Case have been cleared, while those who have nothing illegal in their record are being disqualified over minor issues.
Recently, there have been several strange instances of returning officers asking peculiar questions about candidate’s personal life and religion, which were widely criticised.
COMMENTS (32)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1726722687-0/Express-Tribune-Web-(9)1726722687-0-270x192.webp "standard medical treatment is villagers right cm")
@A Karachiite: But i dont think Quaid e Azam ever wanted to mix the state with religion. He wanted a country where everyone is free to live their lives their way and our history is also distorted so how can we be so sure that it was meant to be an islamic state?
Hard to disagree with Altaf on this
@lmao:
Slogans like ‘Pakistan ka matlab kiya….’ were pre-Pakistan slogans and not post-Pakistan fabrications
And Ahmadis too were shouting this slogan in the pre-Pakistan days.
Some of them were very close associates of Mr Jinnah too.
And we also know what has been fabricated in 'Post Pakistan'.
So, what did you say 'Ideology of Pakistan' is?
For once I agree with Altaf Hussain though he's not someone I like at all. it is also strange because he himself has passed statements against ideology of Pakistan. So he's just riding this wave.
Hypocrisy.
let them ask because inability of the candidates will be shown in premier stage how much ability they have to lead Pakistan...
Altaf Hussain has no right to comment on anything regarding Pakistan's election process. You should be in Pakistan to comment on that.. until then keep your opinions to yourself, Mr. Altaf Hussain!
Thats what she said :P
@lmao:
Not necessarily disagreeing or agreeing, but it is as per your opinion/interpretation
And you are not relevant because u r not running and a british national....so u r ignored
The great opportunity for people is here but behind the scene forces are trying to sabotage the elections, Politicians have been throughly ridiculed dishonered and discredited and those that reah parilament will have no credibility While this game os being played The judges genrals and business people are minting money as usual!
poor fella - western ethics seems to have taken the better part of his judgement
Ideology of Pakistan in 1940: "The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies...they belong to two different civilizations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions....To yoke together two such nations under a single state....must lead to growing discontent and final destruction."
Ideology of Pakistan in 1947: "You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed –that has nothing to do with the business of the State."
Ideology of Pakistan in 1971: "West Pakistan First".
Ideology of Pakistan in 2013: "Pakistan First".
@Omer Khan, I agree that Objectives Resolution was written after independence but what it embodies was indeed the main driver behind Pakistan. Slogans like 'Pakistan ka matlab kiya....' were pre-Pakistan slogans and not post-Pakistan fabrications. What IS, however, a fabrication is that Pakistan was created as a secular state devoid of any islamic influence. This is not only factually incorrect but also requires disregard of islam as islam does not seperate state and religion.
This election is going to be another drama. For the last 5 years the youth of Pakistan is being wasted, ruined, suffocated, exploited at the hands of the politicians. This is all planned so that the youth of Pakistan can not contribute to the country. Our politicians are agents of US who are continously destabilizing Pakistan. First 5 years PPP led the show with the help of PML-N and now things are being shaped so that next 5 years PML-N will lead the country to destruction, devastation in all forms and now PPP will be a silent expectator as PML-N was in the last 5 years. Wake-up Pakistan. Wake-up. PTI is the last resort for us.
Who has given this foreigner a right to intervene in our internal affairs??
Bhai; please come to Pakistan and personally explain this to ROs
What is ideology of Pakistan an Islam? Allegiance to the Queen is of prime importance. Long Live Queen.
Naturally he doesn't know about Pakistan's ideology and sympathizes with Ayaz Amir. After all, he considered the partition the greatest blunder in history. Still people think of him as a patriotic person. The wonders of Karachites....
The only brave sane voice in #Pakistan. Who has the right to judge Sadiq or Amin? Only Allah, the rest are pretenders.
Altaf Hussain yet again proved he is the only 'National' leader by highlighting the issue of irresponsible attitude of ECP
He is the most responsible politicians of Pakistan. He also demanded to extend the date of election. Hats off ones again it is going to be proved that elections will not be held in pakistan. Late in election means paving way to long boots ones again...........................think before others think for you and your good and bad..........................
@lmao: Objectives Resolution was not the driver of Pakistan movement. It was created after independence...when we had lost the only intellectually sane visionary we had and with him all sanity and rationality was lost. What followed was a fabrication aimed at trying to attach things like 'objective resolution' and 'pakistan ka matlab kya..' to the creation of Pakistan.
@lmao its a Rhetorical question . if you dont know what it means please consult dictionary.
Mr Altaf Hussain one of the responsible politician of Pakistan has long and wide history of taking notices and showed his anger time to time. He should also tell the truth behind the unprecedented killing and looting of innocent people in Karachi. He should instead come in Pakistan and should take active part in Pakistani politics.
Ideology of Pakistan can be easily understood from the following extract taken from Mr. Jinnah's address at the Karachi Bar Association on January 25, 1948 on the occasion of the Holy Prophet’s (SAS) birthday:
“Some are misled by propaganda. Islamic principles are as applicable to life as they were 1,300 years ago. The Constitution of Pakistan will be made on the basis of the Sharia.”
Sharia is the basis of the Constituion of Pakistan, and thus, is the Ideology of Pakistan!!!!
Idol-o-Ji of piakistan ? must be some Lollywood actress.
Well said Mr. Altaf, RO's should just stick to pertinent quastions.
The odd moment when you agree with Altaf Hussain.
Sanity. Hard to find elsewhere. Well done again MQM.
Mr. Altaf's idea of Pakistan's ideology is clear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfSmIZoVDis ; Of course he will be against what the RO's are doing. I request ET to let this comment through for it has no bias. Just a factual video link.