Pakistan

If Bhutto and Nawaz could be arrested, why can't Altaf Hussain: Defence minister

Khwaja Asif says no one is above the law when it comes to national security

Web Desk March 25, 2015

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif questioned on Wednesday why Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain couldn't be arrested if former prime ministers Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had been in the past, Express News reported.

The defence ministers statements come just days after convicted Muttahida Qaumi Movement target killer Saulat Mirza’s confessional video surfaced, in which he revealed that he killed the former MD of KESC on the MQM chief orders.

“If Bhutto could be arrested and there could be a decision against him, which is still questionable; if Nawaz Sharif can stay in jail for 14 months … why not others?” said Khwaja Asif, during an appearance on Express News' Kal Tak, in response to a question on whenever the MQM chief could be arrested.

The defence minister added that no one is above the law when it came to national security.

Talking about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief, Asif said Imran Khan wanted to become the prime minister of Pakistan, and failing to do so, has been a grave psychological shock to him.

His full interview will be aired at 10pm Wednesday night on Express News.

COMMENTS (18)

Muhammad Farooq | 9 years ago | Reply Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are not as smart as Altaf Bhai. Altaf Bhai disappeared into thin air when time came for being accountable.

Javed | 9 years ago | Reply Corruption begins at the top. Be it Bhutto, Nawaz or Altaf. But on the top of all these, there is a whole rank of bootwalas who nourish and elevate corrupt political leaders and parties.

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zubair | 9 years ago | Reply Everything is possible when someone is strongly determined and active practically to what it wants to do, what the government doing now should have been done long ago against criminals no matter this is MQM's chief or even me if proved wrong must be brought to justice and punished being regardless of who or what. we must be inclined to redeveloping foundation of the country now because it has become atrophied like a human body, lastly the arrest demand made by the defense minister does not serve any purpose until it is done practically because it is easier than done. as a citizen of pakistan we have been seeing injustice since our childhood and it still lasts. Government must keep carrying out its measures to cleanse and purify the country from these anti-Pakistan elements not only the barbarous altaf but everyone who is involved in destroying the country must be punished to restore peace in the country and regain the image of Pakistan in the world.

zubair | 9 years ago | Reply Everything is possible when someone is strongly determined and active practically to what it wants to do, what the government doing now should have been done long ago against criminals no matter this is MQM's chief or even me if proved wrong must be brought to justice and punished being regardless of who or what. we must be inclined to redeveloping foundation of the country now because it has become atrophied like a human body, lastly the arrest demand made by the defense minister does not serve any purpose until it is done practically because it is easier than done. as citizen of pakistan we we have been seeing injustice since our childhood and it still lasts. Government must keep carrying out its measures to cleanse the nation from these anti-Pakistan elements not only the barbarous altaf but everyone who is involved in destroying the country must be punished to restore peace in the country and regain the image of Pakistan in the world.

Hawkins | 9 years ago | Reply what are you talking about he was arrested before...

Hobi Haripur wala | 9 years ago | Reply This is the brother in law of Nawaz speaking. on his master's orders.

faheem shah | 9 years ago | Reply then go ahead and try arresting him dont "abki mar, abki mar"

AT | 9 years ago | Reply First remove the Governor and arrest all other criminals.

raider | 9 years ago | Reply @Abdul Rahman Khan: Yes he should be given special status in list of culprits, good to see how peoples bother about personalities and proved to be mollycoddled a cult with so many shortcomings

raider | 9 years ago | Reply Bhutoo and nawaz are not angels, they have been imprisoned for some sort of crimes which have been publicized like day light, why should not altaf Hussain be booked and prosecuted and eventually destined to jail as retribution

Abdul Rahman Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Dear Khwaja Sahib. Please don't put al least Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in line with leader of murderers, 'bhatta khors' and what not.

Raisani | 9 years ago | Reply For this truth all your previous sins are forgiven by the Nation, Khawaja.

Lord of the Ring | 9 years ago | Reply And why not Zardario also who is responsible for mass loot and plunder of this country

umii | 9 years ago | Reply The Army should arrest all politician's of Pakistan do you not think so khawaja asif

Hasan | 9 years ago | Reply What a great rhetoric. Both were trialed and then imprisone. Meanwhile there is not trail not case, and Khawaja Asif already wants imprisonment. There is only a convicted criminal who made an statement under mysterious circumstances to prolong his life. How Credible? Please keep on telling me all of this isn't politcally motivated. Just the way it was for Nawaz & Bhutto. Wake up people.

Hasan Askari | 9 years ago | Reply This clown should speak less If this was said implying Altaf Hussain is criminal then it means if criminals like Nawaz and Bhutto can be arrested then why not Altaf Hussain If context is Nawaz and Bhutto were wronged then it goes against the point of arresting him because two wrongs does not mean you do another wrong This lot is ruling this nation. In any institution with an iota of merit such a person would be fit to be a chowkidar.

Bano | 9 years ago | Reply For the first time this dude has talked some sense.

Naeem Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Because Mr.Hussain lives in London and is citizen of Great Britain. As far as I know Pakistan and GB does not have any extradition treaty and therefore he will be prosecuted in London instead of Karachi provided there is a viable proof of his guilt from Pakistani side. Bhutto was executed because we had a Kangaroo Court that time and the court did what ever was ordered by Zia. Pakistan has had very shameful judicial history where justices were coerced and recently put under House Arrest by a dictator who lives in Karachi among his people instead of jail in Rawalpindi or Attock and lecture the nation now and then. By the way the defense minister has not lived a squeaky clean life himself in the past so he does not have any room to talk about IK or others.

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