MQM urges UK govt to boost Altaf Hussain's security detail

MQM says they are receiving threats due to the party’s liberal stance against extremism

Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Rabita Committee and Sindh Assembly lawmakers wrote a letter on Tuesday to British Prime Minister David Cameron to inform him about the recent extortion threats against the party, while requesting the UK govt to boost Altaf Hussain's security detail.

In a statement posted on their website, the MQM said due to the party’s liberal stance against extremism and ‘Talibanistaion’ such threats have been received before as well but they are a source of panic for their supporters.

“Once again MQM chief Altaf Hussain and other members have received threats from the Taliban,” the statement read.

“We have appealed to British Prime Minister David Cameron, Home Secretary Theresa May and other leaders to provide maximum security to our chief Altaf Hussain,” it added.

The Taliban, according to the MQM have demanded extortion money from 11 party leaders and have threatened party chief Altaf Hussain for his stand against militancy in the country.

While addressing a joint press conference at Nine Zero on October 13, Dr Farooq Sattar, said that several party leaders, including Haider Abbas Rizvi, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Nasreen Jalil, Rashid Gondal, Babar Ghauri and himself had received threats.

“Now, they are threatening our leaders over the phone and through text messages,” said Sattar. “The militants are demanding money ranging between Rs0.5 million to Rs2.5 million from us.” He added that the militants had threatened them with dire consequences if the MQM leaders did not pay up.

According to Sattar, the threats started coming in after the MQM took a stand against militants who were wrecking havoc in the country.