Treason charges: LHC’s three-judge bench to hear petition seeking Altaf’s trial

Court issues notices to interior ministry, PM’s aide.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has formed a three-member bench to take up a petition seeking the trial of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain under treason charges.

Headed by Justice Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi, the bench comprises Justice Irum Sajjad Gul and Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu. During the previous hearing, Justice Naqvi had recommended formation of a larger bench to hear the petition.



Aftab Virk, the petitioner, had claimed that the interior and information ministries had failed to initiate action against the MQM supremo, despite his derogatory remarks against the integrity of the country and its armed forces.

He said 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 issued notices to the interior ministry and the prime minister's principal secretary.

Scores of FIRs have been registered against Altaf Hussain across the country.

About 50 cases have already been registered under sections pertaining to terrorism and criminal intimidation over Altaf's July 12 speech, in which he allegedly used derogatory language against the armed forces and the paramilitary Rangers.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2015.