Altaf Hussain should take back his army-related statements: Khursheed Shah

MQM chief had asked army not to listen to the govt if it asks for intervention in Sunni-Shia conflicts abroad.

KARACHI: Amidst talks of a coalition being formed between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a new obstacle appeared on Monday as Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Syed Khursheed Shah demanded that MQM chief Altaf Hussain should take back his statements concerning the army, Express News reported.

Shah claimed that MQM has always been a supporter of martial law and if the PPP will form a coalition with the MQM then it will seem as if PPP agrees with MQM's opinion.

On March 18, the MQM chief had appealed to the armed forces not to pay heed to the government in case they ask the military to intervene in Sunni-Shia conflicts in Muslim countries.

Speaking at the party’s 30th Foundation Day, celebrated at Jinnah ground in Karachi, the party leader had said, “The government should not use the Pakistan army for their own purpose and should not involve them in killing Muslim brothers in Libya, Syria, Bahrain and other countries.”

The next day, a resolution condemning the statements was submitted in the Punjab Assembly.

On March 22, MQM and PPP had inched closer to announcing a formation of a coalition government in Sindh as five ministries are likely to be handed over to the MQM, party sources had said. Relations between the two parties became cordial last week when their delegations met in Dubai, and the MQM had termed the talks positive.

PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari on March 21 had told his party leaders not to issue any statements against the MQM. Later, MQM chief Altaf Hussain had also told his leaders to maintain the friendly atmosphere.