Hundreds gathered at the MQM rally in Karachi on Sunday, May 26. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders demanded answers from the British Prime Minister David Cameron about the ‘harassment’ of their party chief and workers as well as the closure of Altaf Hussain’s bank accounts in the UK.
“I want to ask David Cameron that when MQM is fully cooperating in police investigations, why is Altaf Hussain being harassed? Why are his bank accounts being frozen when no FIR has been lodged against him, and no charge against him has been framed in court,” said the party’s parliamentarian Dr Farooq Sattar on Sunday.
Thousands of MQM workers had turned up at rally at the Tibet Center, MA Jinnah Road to express solidarity with their leader Altaf Hussain.
Sattar said that Altaf’s last bank account would be frozen by the British authorities on June 6.
“In the money laundering case, we have submitted proof of every penny received. I want to ask the authorities how a UK resident can survive without a back account. How will he pay his utility bills and cater to the needs of his 11-year-old daughter?”
In an interview to a news channel last week, Altaf had revealed that all his bank accounts in Britain were frozen by the authorities.
“Altaf Hussain’s right to life is being trampled. This is a matter of human rights,” he said adding that the authorities were violating human rights as well as the Magna Carta.
The MQM leader said that they shall approach the British courts against the injustice and demonstrate outside 10 Downing Street, but would also continue to cooperate in investigations.
He said that said Altaf Hussain has a hobby of collecting coins, and said that this is not a cognizable offense.
“We will not tolerate prejudice whether in the UK or Pakistan.”
The party’s deputy convener, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui claimed that two million people had turned up at the rally.
“Altaf was the one to give to us identity and recognition,” he said to the crowd, where the supporters held ‘We love Altaf Hussain’ banners and shouted slogans in favour of the party chief.
Barrister Saif Ali said that if people think that by closing bank accounts and hurling false accusations on Altaf they can damage his ideology and the party movement, they are mistaken.
MNA Nabil Gabil said that those accusing Altaf of money-laundering should first investigate the money in Swiss accounts and the huge houses present near Hyde Park in London.
“Only a small house belonging to a poor man in Edgware Road is being targeted,” he added.
Gabol also said that Altaf Hussain does not need any NIC or passport to prove his Pakistani identity, and said that if Altaf is not considered a Pakistani, then neither should Nawaz Sharif and Chaudhry Nisar be considered Pakistanis as well.
“When Altaf comes to Karachi, millions of people will go to the airport to receive him and will take him to Nine Zero without any passport,” he said.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi appealed to Davuid Cameron that Altaf was the only modern, liberal and secular leader in the country. “His views should be heard and his issues should be resolved.”
MPA Faisal Sabzwari said that they would defeat conspiracies by expressing love for their leader and by supporting them, and said that he was the first leader to raise voice against terrorism and Talibanisation.
COMMENTS (14)
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Mr Altaf HUSSAIN and MQM should first explain about money laundering of 400000 British pounds found in the basement of one of his three houses, before asking British primeminister to explain their position. Does MQM has the courage to fire Mr Hussain after this arrest. OR Mr HUSSAIN has the courage to resign from his post? Next question. Who killed Dr Farooq?
@Gobal Dear sir, yes Altaf Hussain especially need to prove his Pakistani identity n soon it may be your turn as well.
What UK does with his citizen is UK internal affairs. Its expected by MQM leadership in Pakistan to behave as sensible citizens of Pakistan, burning car, shutting down shops, schools, traffic etc won't get Altaf H freedom in UK. We hope n wish Pakistan authorities will make sure that MQM leadership to be held accountable if any citizen get disturb. MQM also should respect UK law, maybe it's pay back time n their leader time arrived.
Investigations, Arrests and imprisonments are normal things in these kinds of activities. Abnormal would have been, if civilized countries also ignore such activities.
MQM should suspend Altaf Bhai from its leadership till court proceedings and final judgment.
Why should the British Government involve the Pakistani Government in a matter related to one of its citizens. It is their problem. As usual we have reacted by damaging our own country and people by burning buses and property.
Let the British citizen face the justice system of his country.
Congrats MQM for a huge and disciplined rally.
The game is up in the UK.
Kudos to MQM for a massive rally, which as always was impressively organized. While critics of MQM will not admit, them and the government are afraid that if Altaf returns , MQM will become more popular. Which is why they don't want to issue a passport or NICOP to him. Pretty ironic that on the one hand they question Altaf's residing outside Pak, and on the other, they are preventing him from coming back.
Rally against British Govt in Karachi wont bring any fruit. MQM London chapter must organize mammoth rally to halt London life and pressurize PM of UK. As Altaf Bhai is also British Citizen. I see no use to halt life in Karachi and do strikes in Karachi. Sindh Govt has done no wrong to MQM. Why to shutdown its capital?
"Altaf Hussain has a hobby of collecting coins, and said that this is not a cognizable offense." Also collecting gold coins, rare and valuable coins, and bills very large bills of most valuable currencies. Only in Pakistan people can be so worried about one single UK citizen and one US citizen Afia. No worries about millions of Pakistanis suffering and being killed right at home. No faith in Pakistani judiciary and now no faith in the British judiciary.
Only MQM could have pulled off such a massive rally.
That small house the poor altaf has,has a worth off $4million or £2.5million pounds,btw uk dont do fir so cut the drama ,y dont tribune report it proper
unfortunately, not much you can do, unlike Karachi and Pakistan, UK and the west is where law (and not dictators and powerful) is supreme. Even the president resigns if there is a watergate. In Pakistan, unfortunate thing is that we believe in God, however, many a times rich and powerful start thinking they are god and can do everything and not be answerable (look at zardari, enjoying his loot, safely deposited in foreign accounts and properties abroad)