Pakistan

Establishment to seek treason trial against MQM chief Altaf Hussain

The government will be asked to formulate a response to be given to India on its interference in Pakistan

Kamran Yousaf June 25, 2015

PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: The country’s security establishment will seek registration of a treason case against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain in the wake of BBC’s claim that his party received funds and training from India.

“It is time the government should move against him [Altaf Hussain] in the light of the BBC report on the MQM-India nexus,” said a source in the security establishment. It is believed the security establishment has decided to persuade the federal government to ban the MQM and file a treason case against its chief Altaf Hussain.

The source said a ‘dossier’ will be prepared on ‘MQM-India nexus’ in view of the BBC report. “The government will be asked to formulate a response to be given to India on its interference in Pakistan through its proxy Altaf Hussain and his close aides,” the source revealed.

Read: Karachi unrest: MQM received funds, training from India, BBC

Pakistan has recently accused India’s premier intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), of whipping up terrorism in the country.

Allegations that the MQM has links with India are nothing new but the BBC report marks the first time any Western media network has talked about this.

The source claimed that security forces and intelligence agencies found ‘compelling evidence’ against the MQM during the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi. The source said the BBC report vindicated Pakistan’s apprehensions that RAW was behind creating unrest in the country.

Read: Political reaction: MQM must prove its innocence, says Khawaja Asif

Relations between Pakistan and India have been tense since last several weeks due to a series of controversial statements given by the Indian political leadership. In one such statement, the Indian defence minister blatantly admitted that his country would use terrorists to neutralise terrorists. His remarks implied that India was using certain militant groups to foment violence in Pakistan.

More recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged that his country played a part in the events of 1971 that led to the breakup of Pakistan. The latest BBC revelations will certainly sour the already tense relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (51)

wb | 9 years ago | Reply @Haider: "Axact case and many other cases are there where on basis of report trial or investigation started." Axact and this are absolutely not even remotely comparable. In case of Axact there were dozens of independent sources for NYT. They had clear evidence. In case of MQM there is not a single independent source. Either these sources are senior MQM leaders (who could be disgruntled or bought over) and reliable Pakistani officials. Where is the evidence? BBC does not have a single document of transfer of funds, a single independent source, a single source from the opposite camp. At lease BBC should have had testimony of Indian RAW or government officials claiming that India is funding MQM. They have nothing. This is a joke.

OBSERVER | 9 years ago | Reply this is old dirty game of Punjabi establishment....even late Fatma Jinnah was declared Raw and CIA agent during election of 1964 when she challenged Ayub Khan

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Naeem Majid | 9 years ago | Reply Are MQM supporters above not fluent in English. The BBC documentary has used a source in Pakistan but also has supporting video confessions from MQM members in UK.

IMTIYAZ | 9 years ago | Reply Like when anyone gets in defeatism in india they always blame pakistan@Vectra:

MS | 9 years ago | Reply @BlackHat: It is a well known fact that MQM is creation of the establishment it is a well known "fact". Really? What are you? The chai walla who was serving tea to officials when they were making this decision?

Salim | 9 years ago | Reply The conspiracy is clear. The Establishment wants PTI to be planted in Karachi. NA-246 bi-elections was a test case. The results were a strong MQM victory and PTI's defeat. Saulat's confession, 90 raid, etc, did not yield results for those who wanted MQM routed. Therefore, the only solution to plant PTI in Karachi is to ban the MQM, since electorally MQM does not get defeated. This BBC news nonsense is part of the process to try to have it banned. In Rural Sindh, the Establishment wants PPP in its current form to get wiped out. The replacement they want is an establishment-friendly PPP faction (hence the Zulfiqar Mirza saga, Zardari and family Dubai departure, etc), the various Sindh PMLs, nationalist parties, and PTI. If #1 and #2 happen, a grand alliance can be formed for Sindh have an establishment-friendly government.

Hyder | 9 years ago | Reply @Haider: If all the evidences are found as soon as something happened than criminals would have been caught very early there would have been very less crimes in the world Let me remind you: One has to be proven guilty; until then the entity is innocent. BBC is no judge or court of law. I know you are excited.

Hyder | 9 years ago | Reply @Afzal: in any case it would not broadcast any programme which can result in costly defamation claim But thats the point - BBC know it will not face a "costly defamation suit" - MQM does not have the resources for it and hasnt done it before.

Hyder | 9 years ago | Reply @Haider: Foreign news organizations definitely are NOT CLEAN as opposed to the belief held by many in Pakistan. On the contrary they are dirtier than Pakistani channels, but in more sophisticated ways. They work their news based on lobbying and funding. Therefore, There is nothing and nowhere that states that BBC cannot indulge in sensationalization and cherry picking of what to run on TV. Come out of your slumber. I know it suits your prejudice that the MQM is being targeted by BBC. Tell me Mr. - how is it that the BBC comes out with MQM stories right around the time when the Security forces turn their guns on the MQM?

BHAGWAT GOEL | 9 years ago | Reply YES OF COURSE MOHAJIR ALTAF HUSSAIN MUST BE HANGED. WHAT BUSINESS THIS MOHAJIR FROM HINDUSTHAN HAS IN PAKISTAN? NEXT WOULD BE ASIF ALI ZARDARI. IT WILL BRING PEACE IN KARACHI. PEACE OF kabristan.

Naeem Khan | 9 years ago | Reply @Sri Varahadev: " Time for India to repeat support for the oppressed in Pakistan and do a 1971 Bangladesh Liberation repeat." Dream on. Pakistan is not the same as in 1971, and people like you exposes the Indians and their hatred toward Pakistan who never accepted Pakistan from day one. By the way India could not dare to repeat 1971 because this time if her existence is threatened, their will be no capital left of India along with their other major cities. Better weigh the consequences of your actions before you have to eat it. By the way I am a Pukhtun from Mardan and your statement about innocent Pushtuns are not going to influence any one there because we know the true nature of Indians. Let me tell you that Pukhtuns will be the first ones to stand in line to defend Pakistan, look it up what happened in Kashmir in 1947-48. Don't you guys ever mistake that.

Haider | 9 years ago | Reply @wb Axact case and many other cases are there where on basis of report trial or investigation started..Spot fixing case also started like this....Acc to report British authorities have recording of Mqm officials claiming it.so approach British authorities so whats wrong in investigation..Atleast we are not investigating a pigien kind of stupidity @mocking I am just saying if BBC is wrong then sue them @Intelektual British authorities held formal recorded interviews with senior MQM officials who told them the party was receiving Indian funding, the BBC was told.MQM officials told.So its better that Pakistan approach british authorities. .. @BlackHat If all the evidences are found as soon as something happened than criminals would have been caught very early there would have been very less crimes in the world

BlackHat | 9 years ago | Reply @Haider: It is a well known fact that MQM is creation of the establishment after the execution of Z.A. Bhutto, in order to eat into the PPP in Sindh. The tentacles of the establishment reach into every nook and cranny in the country. The establishment has partnered with this party under different circumstances. It is hard to believe, after all these years, suddenly they discovered "evidence" of receiving money from across the border. It doesn't hold much water, when similar allegations are repeatedly thrown around at anyone or any gun toting group that gets in the way. It is not impossible for BBC or any other news organization to be misled by "official" unnamed source.

Disgusting | 9 years ago | Reply ET You as usual give more space to Bharati comments which are mostly anti Pakistan. So you are being faithful to your RAW!

Jalal | 9 years ago | Reply @salim:

But what about others? Shazain Bugti, son of Akbar Bugti was caught red handed with truck loads of arms but no action against him.

Shazain Bugti was in his own Land Baluchistan and its a tribal culture to carry arms; what were you Punjabis doing there illegally? Why don't you leave Baluchis alone in their land?

Intelektual | 9 years ago | Reply @Haider: Have you even read the article in BBC?? Its as vague as possible and practically just bundled up all negative news possible against MQM without commitment !! BBC report says "BBC has been told !!" There can not be a legal liability based on them reporting what they have been told !! BBC has not committed to the story and its just vague claims !! Yes they are covered legally !

S.R.H. Hashmi | 9 years ago | Reply First, a former army chief and president Gen.(rtd) Pervez Musharraf was made to face a treason trial and that when he had already handed over powers to the civilian government. It was for the first time that a military dictator was made to face a treason trial even though there had been quite a few of them in the history of Pakistan, with none of them subjected to such humiliation. , including those who caused the break of Pakistan. And now, if ET headline ‘Establishment to seek treason trial against Altaf Hussain’ is true, and not merely a conjecture, Altaf Hussain could be made to face a treason trial. And according to ET report, BBC report is what has initiated all this. And any body who reads BBC report carefully can see that it is a very weak one. While it was prepared in London by a British journalist, it quotes for authority statements made by a Pakistani official stating that during interrogation by British authorities, some MQM members admitted to receiving funds from India. Surely, a report prepared in Britain by a British journalist, should have obtained confirmation direct from the British authorities instead of getting the information in such a round-about manner. And as for allegations made by a senior official, we know that quite high-level officials had once accused MQM of Jinnahpur conspiracy, which was declared to be absolute rubbish by another very senior Pakistani official. The authorities launched a large-scale attack on Nine-Zero, followed by media trial, but still MQM managed to secure an overwhelming win in recently-held election in Azizabad, for NA-246 and perhaps it has upset some quarters terribly. Surprisingly, all this fuss has been kicked up over a report by BBC, an institution which has a record of making several inaccurate reports and subsequently apologizing over them. The details are available on the web who those who want to see these. It is unfortunate that some people in Pakistan have not been able to shed their slave mentality, and their prejudices even after 68 years, and they take anything coming from the land of their masters as a gospel. Karachi.

salim | 9 years ago | Reply If BBC report is proved correct there definitely should be action against MQM. But what about others? Shazain Bugti, son of Akbar Bugti was caught red handed with truck loads of arms but no action against him.

Bob Mack | 9 years ago | Reply @Ahmad: No you did not miss, he has not yet taken his resignation back from last time. Although he resigned following Khama Asif's comment about Mohairs, the true reason may be something else. I think he and his party knew what was coming on Altaf-India nexus and I doubt if he is going to return in the near future. Let us see what happens next. He seems in trouble not necessarily immediately in regard to Indian funding but the murder case.

Radiohead | 9 years ago | Reply @Napier Mole, Why are you talking sense?

Afzal | 9 years ago | Reply @BlackHat: BBC is not like rogue press. It has some credibility and in any case it would not broadcast any programme which can result in costly defamation claim. To say that BBC has done this as a favour to Pak establishment is a long shot and reflection of immaturity.

Rahilla | 9 years ago | Reply MQM should take action against BBC documentary, 2-3 times before BBC targeted MQM otherwise it would be proved the allegations are correct, which also pointed out by Rao Anwar, Rangers and also accepted by altaf Bhai after 90 raid.

Hasan Askari | 9 years ago | Reply So basically article 6 proceedings will start now against Altaf Hussain The other one who is facing treason is Musharraf Both happen to be Urdu speakers. Keep it up. A Tsunami will come which will sweep away all other parties in Karachi. Imran will be swept into fresh waters of Lyari naddi. lol. Good development for MQM

Vectra | 9 years ago | Reply This constant bringing of India and RAW to every single thing without giving evidence and quoting unknown source can be destructive.

Jagit Singh | 9 years ago | Reply Going through the thread of comments, one can conclude that Pakistanis believe that what the BBC puts out is the gospel truth. So I beseech all Pakistanis to watch the BBC documentary "SECRET PAKISTAN."

Jagit Singh | 9 years ago | Reply To all Pakistanis - please watch BBC documentary "SECRET PAKISTAN." Going through the thread of comments here, one can conclude that Pakistanis believe that the BBC is the gospel truth.

Mrs Juicy Gossips | 9 years ago | Reply @Ahmad: Resignation or not, he is and will always remain the party's 'Senior Advisor' much like Lee was in Singapore. But the stark difference is that while Lee was instrumental in building up his city/state into a globally-admired economic power, this character ( probably at the behest of his Indian minders ) has wrecked a city which was, at one time, on par with Bombay. So much for "Jinnahbad".

goggi (Lahore) | 9 years ago | Reply More then 800 citizens have died due to nonavailability of drinking water and electricity, mortuaries are overstuffed with dead bodies, hospitals overfilled with patients suffering from dehydration and collapse of the immune system!!! Who is responsible for this nationwide misery? It is not only the harsh hot weather, rather the self-created catastrophic supply situation in which the people are cruelly subjected to....in the month of Ramzan!!!! Shall we as citizens of Pakistan file a suit in International Court of Human Rights against this failed and corrupt Government?

abcd | 9 years ago | Reply meanwhile....people are still dying in karachi due to the heat. good going govt ministers...you play games while people die..... 900+ dead....you divert attention....way to go media, way to go ministers....way to go people in power!!!!

Salim Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Why suddenly all this anti India rhetoric? They blamed Raw for the Karachi massacre but turned out to be LET. They blame India for trying to disrupt CPEC when it's Noora Leagues wrong policies that are the reason. They blame India for fostering trouble in Baluchistan when it's the high handed tactics of FC that are fueling the resistance

Napier Mole | 9 years ago | Reply This is unbelievable. In one generation, the establishment seems to have forgotten the lessons of Bangladesh. At that time also all efforts of the establishment were only focused on proving Awami League as the agent of India and Mujib as the stooge of Indian agencies. No effort was made to investigate and effectively mitigate the sense of alienation of the erstwhile East Pakistanis, which incidentally were the majority population of Pakistan. Same history is being repeated in Karachi. Those who seem to lose their sleep over the high handed tactics of mqm, have no love lost for Karachi to demand that why this city of 20 million does not have an elected local government. Those who are trying to prove mqm as traitors do not have the sincerity to demand that Karachi should be policed by locals. And those hatching such ham handed conspiracies fail to see that they have lost the trust and faith of the very city, which the establishment is purportedly protecting. It is obvious the establishment may have the brute strength but not the brains to match the wits of Karachiites and their representative party.

Necromancer | 9 years ago | Reply Bangladesh, Jinnahpur, Azad Baluchistan and Greater Afghanistan all because of Punjab and its bureaucracy please spare Pakistan and stop subjugating people on race, ethnicity and religion. And for Pak Media Shame on not disclosing the real fact.........the report said the source is authoritative Pakistani source which is not credible as I presume it to be CH Nisar Sahab

wb | 9 years ago | Reply @Mocking: That's too much logic for most Pakistanis. Ask simpler questions.

GKA | 9 years ago | Reply The list of accused in treason trails in Pakistan are interesting - they include a doctor who helped find the world's most notorious terrorist, and now, leader of the a migrant ethnic group with a large parliament and state assembly presence.

Usman | 9 years ago | Reply Pity that the establishment has to kick govt. into action. This is something the govt. should've done on its own.

Mocking | 9 years ago | Reply @Haider: So for you BBC is reliable. A few months ago BBC posted a documentary called Secret Pakistan where US,UK, Afghan officials along with Taliban implicating Pakistan in fueling terrorism and enslaving the Afghan people. Is BBC right?

Salma | 9 years ago | Reply @Sri Varahadev: It's high time for Pakistan to pay back India. Oppressed are Muslims of India who are not allowed to study in major institutions, apply for jobs, or able to buy property in many parts of Mumbai. Oppressed are people of Indian occupied Kashmir who are being killed or raped since partition by Indian state terrorists. Not to mention many murdered in Gujarat by terrorist Modi. Time has come that pakistan show Indian Hindus their true worth. Whatever is India today is because of Muslims contribution over the last 9 centuries. Pakistan must stop consolatory gestures towards India and give them befitting response. Whatever India is doing is a reminder to every Pakistani the reason why Pakistan came into being.

wajahat shafi | 9 years ago | Reply @Mr. urban legend what happend to u educteed people just becoz ur ethinincally congruent to the MQM leader so continue to support MQM no matter what so ever harm occur to the country, Learn something from illiterate people of KPK who wiped out ANP champions of pushruns rights in recent elections

Aqeel | 9 years ago | Reply If a NYT story on Axact can fire up a solid action by the government and sealing of Axact/Bol offices, why can't a BBC story result in the same for MQM?

Haider | 9 years ago | Reply @BlackHat BBC's sources can be from Pakistan they donot give a report without verification.They can easily be caught in defamation suit @Urban Legend Stop this nonsense its BBC or a small news channel. ..File defamation Suit if they are wrong.. It should have been done earlier after SSP media conference

wb | 9 years ago | Reply When you give statements to a newspaper as a source, and call that news evidence and based on that start a treason trial on the person you gave statements about...what do you call it? 1)Stupidity 2)Revenge 3)Conspiracy 4)All the above.

Pro India | 9 years ago | Reply @Sri Varahadev: Are you high ?

sabi | 9 years ago | Reply Khilafa lobby is deflecting public attention towards mqm to escape the wrath of the state which for the first time seems determined tightening the rope against them once and for all. Who bombed Pakistan to rubble is an open secret which is definitely not mqm.

kashif | 9 years ago | Reply My sources say that decision has already been taken.. Few prominents could be sent to the gallows.

Sri Varahadev | 9 years ago | Reply Fully support this excellent humanitarian gesture by Government of India and RAW to prevent oppression of minority native Urdu speaking “Mohajirs” and the promoting of parliamentary democracy by supporting MQM party against nefarious machinations of Punjab Province dominated Military and their Punjab province civil society lackeys in the PML-N political party and Bureaucracy. In doing so India must emphasise that there is no international law that prevents funding organisation abroad, except off course terrorist organisations. MQM as is known and accepted by all except Punjab Province dominated Military and their Punjab province civil society lackeys in the PML-N political party and Bureaucracy, is a bona fide political party represented in Pakistan’s Parliament and not a declared terrorist organization in Pakistan or elsewhere in the world. India must further ensure nefarious gambit of Punjab Province dominated Military and their Punjab province civil society lackeys in the PML-N political party and Bureaucracy to declare innocent Mohajir’s as terrorists, just as the innocent Pathan’s have been, is foiled. Time for India to repeat support for the oppressed in Pakistan and do a 1971 Bangladesh Liberation repeat.

ziaurrehman | 9 years ago | Reply again proven that it's establishment which is taking all these important decisions. Federal Noora government is in sleeping mode as usual.

ziaurrehman | 9 years ago | Reply Karachi's short term betterment is only in handling it over to Pakistan's armed forces....

Ahmad | 9 years ago | Reply Last time, I heard Altaf Bhai resigned from the leadership of MQM.. Did I miss any statement taking back his resignation, as usual??

BlackHat | 9 years ago | Reply This BBC claim of MQM-India link is based on an unnamed Pakistani official source. Political scores can be settled by simply stating that an individual or organization is a proxy of India. Care and caution may be needed when pursuing such tactics. This may lead to alienating individuals or sections of the population, exasperating the already frayed social fabric. That would make it easier for the "enemy". As long as terror entities, whether sectarian or jihadist, were subordinate to the establishment, it was alright. The moment they stopped obeying orders, they became Indian proxies. This kind of news reporting is also not conducive to improving vitiated relationship between the two countries.

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Stop this nonsense. These idiots will make Altaf immortal.

Urban Legend | 9 years ago | Reply Absurd and serious stupidity by Noon League! BBC has acted on behalf of Pak Establishment and has based the allegations on Pakistani sources not their independent sources. Pakistan is working against its own interests.

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