Altaf Hussain did not criticise Pakistan Army: MQM

Rabita Committee says party chief has always applauded the army chief's efforts against terrorism in the country

KARACHI: Hours after a strong reaction from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) over a speech by Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain in which he 'criticised’ the Pakistan Army, the party has said that their chief did not censure the armed forces and in fact applauded the leadership of army chief General Raheel Sharif.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Rabita Committee said the party chief has not only approved of General Raheel’s actions but also applauded his efforts against terrorism in the country.

The committee urged the COAS to provide justice to the MQM, urging him to take action against loan defaulters and plunderers as well, along with the continuing Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Earlier in the day, DG ISPR Major General Asim Bajwa termed Hussain’s remarks uncalled for and irresponsible.

Read: Irresponsible remarks against Pakistan Army will not be tolerated, says General Bajwa

In a tweet he called MQM chief’s speech “disgusting,” saying that reference to the army or its leadership while reacting to arrest of criminals with suspected links to political parties will not be tolerated.

Altaf, while addressing his supporters via a telephonic address at Nine-Zero on late Thursday, referred to the 1971 surrender of the armed forces, using it to ask why the party was labelled as traitors when some of its members sought refuge in India after fleeing prosecution in the aftermath of the 1992 operation against them.

Read: IG Sindh suspends SSP Malir Rao Anwar after controversial press briefing

His speech came after SSP Malir Rao Anwar held a press conference on Thursday where he alleged that the MQM had ties with Indian spy agency Raw and presented two suspects who claimed they had ties with the MQM and had received weapons training in India.