Farooq Sattar will file the suit in the Sindh High Court over the MQM chief’s character assassination.
KARACHI: The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) filed a defamation suit worth Rs5 billion against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday, Express News reported.
MQM leaders Farooq Sattar and Senator Farogh Naseem personally filed the suit in the Sindh High Court for MQM Chief Altaf Hussain’s alleged character assassination in the wake of PTI leader Zahra Shahid Hussain’s murder.
Imran had held Hussain responsible for Zahra’s murder and accused him of inciting violence through his public broadcasts.
MQM said it had sent a legal notice to Imran following his accusations but received no response in return. The party has now filed a petition in the court and demanded Rs5 billion as compensation money.
MQM is the petitioner, while Imran and PTI were made party in the case.
Known as the mother of PTI, Zahra was shot dead outside her house in Karachi on May 18. The very same day, Imran Khan said he held Altaf Hussain responsible for the murder.
I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder as he had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 18, 2013
COMMENTS (70)
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@Reas Ekberg.: yah right so much , of a democrat, by the way your coment wreaks , prejudice and nothing at all.
What does Mr. Altaf hope to accomplish with this suit, now that it has become obvious that MQM is involved in murder, robbery, extortion and spying for foreign nations.
Mr. Khan should throw Rs5 billion on the face of MQM and should not apologize. Money is no problem for him.
@Abbas: @Amir: @ezanius: @Saleem: Offence committed in Pakistan, when IK was in hospital, so british courts have nothing to do with this case.
@ManofSteel!: @Zara: So you are admitting that IK will loose
@bilal: Please dont expect Karachites to support Taliban apologists. Karchites dont want their way of life challenged by the obscurantism of Talibans and their likes
residents of Karachi stand up and support IK. this is now or never we already have suffered the paid of life
@Ashar: It is unwise to embarrass an established organizations and better to gain more leverage by not signing a law suit and resolve matters across the table. It seems that has been achieved and BBC has not put its report on its website. So why go down the war path
@ Naeem
You are right... The titanic of MQM is drowning..Lolz...
There are several cases of similar kind in our courts from last two decades. Nothing will happen. Looks like Blank Shots in the air.
@Aysha M:
"Very unfortunate PTI secured 31 NA seats after 17 years of active politics"
Very unfortunate that even after double the number of active politics MQM cant secure that many seats and can not win even from three cities in NA ......... TSK TSK
@Abdullah: yah very honest could not condemn TTP for killing two of his MPA , in KPK , also allow me to say his personal state of things are far from honest.
This is a good move by MQM. Enough being on the backfoot. Imran Khan brought this on himself by shooting from the hip and creating a personal vendetta by acting as the judge snd the jury snd all in the absence of any evudence. Can any PTI supporter worth his salt defend Imran's statement on the above counts.
At the same time, however, it is important for MQM to make sure that it does not get distracted full time in side issues which is what its detractors want. MQM need to revert post haste to raising, struggling for and resolving the core urban issues of sindh which is what its urban mandate demands. A failure by mqm to focus on these issues may compromise mqm's still genuine support among the urban masses of sindh.
Can't wait for Imran Khan to win! One of the few honest politicians out there!
@Aysha M: Clarifying I support only what is right! Good job! I see IK wellwisher trolls comments as biased, totally an escape from reality and abusive in some sense as my sister gave her stance. Well I do agree he is a barbarian apologist.
@Aysha M: PTI secured 31 NA seats after 17, and MQM still limited to 2 cities. everyone knows how MQM hijacked the 2 cities, which is now slipping from their hands. in the beginning they used ethnic card, and then gun point and other unlawful tactics.
PTI and Imran Khan should pay concentration on their promises and their governance in KPK I hope to see local bodies system in KPK in 90 days in which SHO is elected by people of union council and no funds for MNA MPA as promised by Imran Khan
Imran vs mafia. Seems like world cup final
@UK Pakistani: Very valid point, altaf hussain is aggrieved party and he is a british national. He should file suit in the Uk. I dont think this suit will be entertained
@ayesha M
This was PTI first election when imran khan actually have companion and team of volunteer.He launch massive complain of public meetings and after 1971 election, 2013 election have massive turnout.The participation and enthusiasm of youth is incredible.Despite massive historical rigging, PTI got 31 seats and sweep in KPK.Comparing P'TI with MOM is ridiculous.Didn't you watch BBC documentary what MQM EX-MPA Naem Ahmed said? when asked by BBC journalist, he answered " l cannot count but more than 100 peoples killed by MOM and they got orders from London" and another question he replied " MOM is not peaceful party,they are militants, they are group of terrorist". Come on you cannot fool the nation, everyone knows the facts.
Aysha M,when you are done signing MQM's praises please ask your bhai to file a suit against BBC and Scotkand Yard as well.
Interesting times ahead....first time seems like altaf "bhai" is in real trouble...:)
And what about defamation suit against BBC and scotland yard...ya wahan daal nahi galti kia....:)
@ManofSteel!:
Actually, it was 400,000 pounds.
@Zalim singh: Sardar sahab your maths is a bit weak I think
Actually it is:
PTI bank account = current bank account + Rs. 5 bn
what a unfortunate country we are from and from nowhere we are GOVERNED by Pakistanis (because we ourself lack merit,unity,faith& discipline)for the last 60 years by Pakistani origin Americans have ruled us and now since USA has gone to India.British sponsored favorites Imran, Altaf and now future Governor of Punjab is coming from UK.Altaf Hussain must return to Pakistan or stop interfering in Pakistani affairs being British citizen.Let us stop this foreign interference by these run away Pakistanis and others.
@Hamza: Haha! Totally Agree! lol
17 years of PTI in active politics, some adolescents like to learn the hard way
@Ayesha M
This was PTI first election when imran khan actually have companion and team of volunteer. He launch massive campaign of public meetings and after 1971 elections, 2013 election have massive turnout.The participation and enthusiasm of youth is incredible.Despite massive historical rigging, PTI got 31 seats and sweep in KPK.Comparing PTI with MQM is ridiculous.Don't you watch BBC documentary what MQM EX-MPA Naem Ahmed said? when asked by BBC journalist, he answered " I cannot count but more than 100 peoples killed by MQM and they got orders from London". and another question he replied " MQM is not peaceful party,they are militants, they are group of terrorist".Come on you cannot fool the nation, everyone knows the facts.
@ Ayesha M: MQM and Altaf Bhai is only leader of particular sect (Muhajirs) and restricted to Karachi/ Hyderabad even after ...... years, whereas Imran Khan has following all over Pakistan personally and politically. There is no comparison between the two.
@Aamir - Toronto: I can’t fathom that a girl like you can’t distinguish between right and wrong…
Thank you Aamir, I get comments at personal level all the time, the most offensive was when somebody commented Aysha M is a man, and it got 451 recommendations
so thanks
Technically, the petition should have been filed in England, in British courts..Oh, I am sorry, I forgot British courts are always impartial...
Case should be dismissed. It is being filed by someone else who is a British citizen. Should approach British court, or scared they will fine him instead.
@Aysha M: your comments are perfect indeed very well said with clear logic behind.
Imran Khan made this statement in London. Why these jokers didn't have courage to take him to court in that country? Is it because that will open up a pandora's box? As then Imran Khan would have to play Altaf Khan's "hateful" speeches in the court and that MQM doesn't want to do.
MQM is drowning and they are clutching at every opportunity to save themselves
@Aysha M: He was right in saying so. Pakistan owe its single world cup win to the unbreakable will power of that man. Go and watch Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Inzimam, Moin and Aquib speak about the 1992 world cup. They will tell you that it his determination and will power that kept all the team members united in those tough times. He was the only person in the whole team who kept on saying that we will win the world cup and no one believed him, even wasim akram did not. He forced Inzimam to play the semi final against New Zeland. And my last question to you madam: How did the same time perform after him? He handpicked great players like inzimam, aquib, waqar younis, mushtaq ahmad and after these players retired we were left with a bunch of spot fixers.
@ Aysha M We advised to you to take English Comprehension classes after your comments on an article few days back. It seems you ignored all of them.
Or, let me guess, you press CTRL+F on every page and look for "PTI". Whenever you see "Match Found", you move on to an in-fashion "PTI Bashing" strategy, producing highly intellectual comments totally un-related to the article.
The news story is not about evolution of political parties in Pakistan, rather it is about an alleged-terrorist organziation opting a route of law. That is a change indeed. I do not know what made you infer from the story that PTI did not evolve as a political party. Secondly, whether Imran did right or wrong by accusing Altaf, the courts will decide on the matter. You and I will not.
Thanks God. Good to see MQM responding without guns and violence after very long time. Hopefuly, we shall see one for BBC and scotland yard or Not? I also wounder how MQM comeup with the amount? What exactly MQM were doing that cost them 5b?
One should take responsibity and face consequnces for his own words. We support PTI for their stance on this legal battle.......
Can you sue a Pakistani citizen for defamation of a foreign citizen who isn't even resident in Pakistan?
@Tahir Khan: in ur dreams lolz
@Aysha M
I believe that you under Altaf Hussain's spell, I can't fathom that a girl like you can't distinguish between right and wrong.....very unfortunate.
@ManofSteel It was 400,000 pounds... but who's counting.
@Zara:
IK is giving him a chance.He should be sued in UK since he blamed UK government and UK citizen for inciting violence in Pakistan.
Defamation against IK?? They should be placing this against everyone then as everyone has the same opinion about Altaf as IK.
Keep It Up MQM.
imran = bankrupt
@Altaf bhai
is your fame worrth 5b PKR only??? Just asking
Yes MQM is terror organization.
Both parties are suffering from intolerance.Their blame game is hurting Pakistan in this match of wits.Our politicians on both side of the fence are quarrelsome and noisy to prove them right. No one is coming out with a substance. They are simply fooling their followers on rhetoric.
@ Ayesha M
Then blame pakistani Govt too as they are supporting talks with taliban.
@Aysha M: Try to stay on the topic. And dont try to defame PTI everywhere your comments are biased and pls tell which political party you support, you I can give you better counter arguments.
BURNOL
Character assassination of Altaf Hussain..... says it all
What happened to the lawsuit they filed against Khan right after the polls?
No matter, politics should go on to keep workers busy on both sides.
Winning speech of 1992 world cup . . . twilight of my career, I have won the world cup
21 years down the line the enormous ego remains intact
@Tahir Khan: Karachi will never support Taliban apologists
Now Khi belong to PTI.
How can you assassinate something which did not exist? Burden of proof is on MQM!!
Does he have any character people known of?
MQM cannot grow
Very unfortunate PTI secured 31 NA seats after 17 years of active politics and requires another 17 years to gain political maturity, malleability and magnanimity. PTI leader and the led had very high expectations of this election. After May 2013 results, they are still struggling to accept the outcome of the elections, hence inexplicable response by the party leader and which of course has a trickledown effect on its led. It is unfortunate that PTI head only meant a new PM when he spoke of NAYA PAKISTAN, the traditional politics of blame and cronyism of Pakistani politics remain a running streak of PTI. PTI is unable to produce 2nd tier leadership which is bound together by their unwavering belief in the philosophy of the party. Currently 60% of their parliamentarians have spent less than 5 years with PTI, hence low or no adherence with the party philosophy. When parties are not guided by philosophies, chaos and indiscipline reigns supreme, which is exactly the case with the PTI leader and the led. Very unfortunate for politics in Pakistan
Although I am not a supporter of any of the two parties, I think this is a positive move - atleast they are using the right and legal channel and leaving it up to the court to decide who is right and who is wrong. Well done!
MQM stop crying defend his allegations if they are wrong
Lol thats one way of trying to collect the amount of money confiscated by the London police from Altaf Hussain's house - how much was it again....4 Million Pounds, rite?
4 million * 155 = Do the maths yourself PKR.
May the truth prevail ameen
How about filing suit against BBC? And rest of the local media, for that matter.
Sure. Go ahead. I Guess now MQM is looking for a new way to earn and that is from Compensation Money.
We follow the law!