Nisar meets top UK diplomat, discusses Altaf's recent inflammatory statements

Ministry official says legal reference against Altaf being drafted, will likely be dispatched to British govt soon

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan held a meeting with British High Commissioner Phillip to Barton to discuss the issue of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s top leadership, which is at loggerheads with the government over an operation in Karachi and the party chief’s consequent controversial statements.

The interior minister shared detailed proof of MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s speech against the State’s institutions with the top UK diplomat in Islamabad, an official privy to proceedings of the meeting told The Express Tribune.

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“A legal reference against Altaf is being drafted and most likely to be dispatched to the British government in coming days,” a senior official the ministry quoted Nisar as saying to the visiting diplomat.

Three ministries, including interior, foreign affairs and law and justice, the Pakistan High Commission in London and senior officials at the Prime Minister’s House are preparing the legal reference against the MQM party head, the official revealed.

Nisar also discussed the issue of MQM’s leadership with Lord Nazir, a member of the British House of Lords and both of them discussed the legal aspects of the case, the official added.

Earlier today, the interior minister claimed that Altaf’s “foul speeches” worsen Karachi’s situation. “Karachi’s situation worsens when Altaf uses foul language in his speeches,” the interior minister said, while addressing a press conference at the Police Lines in Rawalpindi.

Read: Altaf's foul speeches worsen Karachi's situation: Nisar

“Altaf’s case is not political but judicial and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government does not have any enmity against MQM,” Nisar had stressed while responding to a question.

He had also informed the journalists that the government was preparing a legal reference to be sent to the British government against the MQM supremo. “We are preparing a legal reference against Altaf this time in which an element of criminality will be involved but this must not be confused with writing a letter,” Nisar had said. chief