A view of the MQM protest rally on MA Jinnah Road in Karachi on Feb 2, 2014. PHOTO: PPI
The protest was held to express solidarity with Altaf Hussain after a BBC documentary that said UK prosecutors asked Pakistan to trace two suspects believed to have been involved in the murder of senior MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq.
“The BBC documentaries are propaganda aimed at Altaf Hussain’s character assassination, and a conspiracy against Pakistan’s survival and stability,” Sattar alleged.
He reiterated that MQM and Altaf Hussain respect freedom of expression and freedom of press, but they reject 'media trials'. He indicated that the party may use its legal right if needed.
He further said that BBC’s "biased" reporting is influencing the ongoing case in the court, adding that the news organisation was trying to be the investigator, the prosecutor and the judiciary.
The deputy convener of MQM Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui also addressed the rally, claiming the media trial against Altaf Hussain had now gone global, and those behind it would have to apologize for their behaviour. He further said that all this propaganda was costing BBC its credibility.
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For some Altaf is Pakistan and Pakistan is Altaf, without him there is no Pakistan. But Altaf himself is not in exile but has given up his Pakistani citizenship willingly and happily.
How can a guy who goes to India and speaks against the creation of Pakistan decry anything as being propaganda against Pakistan. He also said Mujahirs made a mistake to move to Pakistan - all the while crying and wailing in front of his Indian audience. I would say the most anti Pakistani person is Altaf Hussain himself!
It sounds like he is a founder of Pakistan does he is only ?????
Altaf bhai stands strong, haters gonna hate.
Hmm...so Pakistan equates a British citizen
Why would MQM say this about a British citizen? Pakistan has no part in thsi equation.
MQM should call a "Pahya Jam Hartal" in London and bring the city down to its knees like they do in Karachi. That will show the British who rules the streets of London! (End of sarcasm)
@Faraz: Yes, I agree with you 110 %.
@Khushab wala Thank u for correcting sir I will try....
MQM will achieve nothing by shouting hollow slogans. Face the reality, try to fight if there is any thing left to be fought. MQM should realize that Altaf Hussain escaped from Pakistan for notorious reasons and got asylam in England. LET THE POLICE IN ENGLAND CONDUCT THE ENQUIRY OF IMRAN F. 's CASE. WHAT IS MQM AFRAID OF:
Really?? If he is the symbol of our country then what is he doing abroad, He should be in Pak and raise his "SINCERE" voice against injustice, corruption and for the right of ordinary people?
Melo drama, directed by MQM at its height.
@pashtun: do you know the meaning of secular?
PTI trolls at work :) Haters will hate!
Looking at the crowd, I can only say: May God grant some sense to those people! I am truly amazed with senseless "worship" of some Pakistanis towards those so-called leaders..
If MQM really thinks so then Altaf Hussain must come back to Pakistan to do politics. Pakistanis have no concern for a British citizen being brought to justice by the ScotlandYard for a crime committed in UK.
UK authorities should strip Altaf Hussain of his British citizenship for treason. That will send Bhai into a full blown tirade and make everything clear.
@Ali Tanoli: '...gonna be.' '...gotta save..' Are you aping American English?.....failing badly. If you are able to type....'gon'....or....'got'.....just add ing...it will help. So easy,..see?
What does this have to do with Karachi. Is this a "come home to Mama" play?
Not only Pakistan, but it is propaganda against The Ummah. He should seek refuge in Pakistan High Commission in London and apply for political asylum in Pakistan to escape tyrannical British rule and persecution. MQM should appeal to UN to put international sanctions against UK and EU for the crimes against humanity!
MQM is fooling the people of Karachi since decades. Now they cannot do so anymore.
If BBC has done something wrong, why does MQM not sue BBC. Why they are doing dirty politics on the roads of Karachi.
How can propaganda against Altaf Hussain can be propaganda against Pakistan? Has Altaf Hussain done anything good for Pakistan during his political career? If he is sincere with Pakistan, why did he get nationality of England? Why does he not come to Pakistan? Why does he want to split Sindh?
MQM should appreciate that British Govt is chasing the killers of their senior most leader Imran Farooq. But what is the fuss all about? Why are they protesting and shutting down city?
There is no propaganda against altaf hussain. This is the fact that altaf hussain always did propaganda against Pakistan.
One more drama by MQM. They do a drama regularly every month. Altaf Hussain will reap the crop sowed by him.
Others would have said that "propaganda against them is propaganda against Islam". At least MQM has not used the religious or sectarian card.
If this British national has any threat in England, why does he not come back to Pakistan?
If Altaf Hussain is not satisfied with British Police, why do MQM make processions in Pakistan. Why not they do so in England? Why punishment is given to public of Karachi through road blockage in entire city.
Karachi has a population of 20 million(200 lakhs)... even if 20 thousand people were there to support him, it is less than 0.1 percent of the population(considering 1 percent is 2 lakhs). If he has any mass support the whole city should have poured into the streets with spontaneous reaction and solidarity...and this was not the case. It says a lot about fake mandate mantra of the party. Karachite's no more support him or for that matter MQM.
@pakistani politics explained: Well Hitler was secular too...
Altaf Hussain can give his life to save Pakistan(A.H)....it is another matter that his life is threatened by Western powers which earlier were saving him...ironic and moronic.
Mr Sattar and his likes must be put in the skinners box to validate their health for public speeches. BBC is the propaganda organ of the UK Government and follows its official foreign policy..
Rex Minor
Why is MQM and Altaf so afraid of BBC or trial in Britain?
How come propaganda against a British citizen is propaganda against Pakistan ?????
Be thankful to UK who is keeping ALTAF for the last 20 years. If they ask him go back then what? ask him to come back to avoid disgrace.
This sort of rubbish works in Pakistan but not here. Anyway should they not be demonstrating so that they find the murderers or is it the fact that they know who they are? I wonder who was behind the murder?
Welldone BBC. You have done a great job by openly naming them Unlike Pakistan media.
That is joke of the day!
the only secular leader in pakistani politics is under fire while the spokesperson of ttp is the flag-bearer of naya pakistan
This has to End and Really End NOW! Fed up with these empty statements and Drama. Big time. British national has no interest in Pak, otherwise disown your passport and come back to PAK.
What an argument. Ridiculous
PL. fight your case in London, your rally may make difference in Pakistan but it will not make any difference with Scotland yard investigation and eventual outcome of respective case in London.
So far as I know London police has never mentioned the name of MQM leader (Altaf Bhai) as a suspect or anything,anywhere in the said documentry
If he is innocent then he shouldn't be afraid to be put on trial. No need of these protest rallies. We have full trust on UK justice system.
One thing we don't understand it why after seventy years of Pakistan we still using this nasty and dirty slogan if BB died there will be no Pakistan if Altaf died there will be no Pakistan if gen zia died there gonna be no Pakistan or every govt came in there odd seventy years had same saying we gotta saved Pakistan why they don't say if there is no Pakistan then where we gonna be???????
no bhai, I don't agree! @London Police Do Whatever it takes you to put him behind bars
"Propaganda against Altaf Hussain is propaganda against Pakistan: Farooq Sattar"
NO, ITS NOT.
If AH is innocent, why r u taking tension, God will help him. Otherwise no body can save him.
Why those Pakistanis including Bhai, who are threatened with their lives return to their homeland & bid adieu to that land of conspirators and character assassinators?
The MQM should sue the BBC for defamation.
Oh really? If he is pakistan and has so much faith in Pakistan, then why did he rig the elections in his area? Food for thought.