LHC forms full bench to hear treason case against MQM chief

Altaf Hussain has recently come under fire over his remarks against armed forces

LAHORE: Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Manzoor Ahmed Malik  formed on Monday a three-member full bench to take up a petition seeking trial of MQM chief Altaf Hussain under treason charges.

The three-member bench will be headed by Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and will comprise Justice Irum Sajjad Gul and Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu.

During previous hearing, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi had recommended the formation of a larger bench to hear the petition.

Read: LHC judge proposes larger bench for Altaf’s case

Advocate Aftab Virk, the petitioner’s counsel, had claimed that the interior and information ministries have failed to initiate action against the MQM supremo, despite his derogatory remarks against the integrity of the country and the army.

Read: Altaf speaks in the tongue of our enemy, says Nisar

He said that Altaf’s speeches were tantamount to treason and appealed to the court to issue directives to the executive to lodge treason cases against the MQM leader and members of his immediate political coterie.

The court also had issued notices to the interior ministry and the premier’s principal secretary.

Read: Altaf criticises Rangers’ role in Karachi

The MQM chief has recently come under fire after he caste doubts on the efficacy of the Rangers operation in Karachi, likening the conduct of the paramilitary force to the Indian army's treatment of people in Indian Kashmir.