Nisar-Altaf meeting in London ruled out

However, insiders in PML-N and JUI-F see it as a possibility

ISLAMABAD: The government has ruled out any meeting between Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Chief Altaf Hussain in London next week.

The development came after a six-member delegation of the MQM met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday to resolve multiple issues including the party legislators’ resignations.

Last week, the Karachi-based party’s lawmakers had resigned from both houses of parliament and the provincial Sindh Assembly in protest against the ongoing Rangers’ operation in the metropolis.

The interior minister is scheduled to leave for Britain where he will discuss a number of matters link to the MQM supremo and Baloch separatists stirring violence in Karachi and Balochistan.



“I don’t think so,” said Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid, dismissing the possibility of Nisar-Altaf meeting. Many within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are whispering that Chaudhry Nisar could meet Altaf Hussain during his London trip to resolve issue of resignations of the MQM, if the matter prolonged.

When contacted Aminul Haque, member of MQM Central Coordination Committee, said, “Being a political party, our doors are open for everybody. Anyone, including Nisar Ali Khan, who wants to visit MQM international secretariat in London is welcome.”

Read: Fazl calls Altaf, urges MQM to resume talks

Informed officials told The Express Tribune that the interior minister during his UK visit would take up the issue of Altaf’s inflammatory speeches as well as Baloch separatists causing unrest in Balochistan with British officials next week. The issue of MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq’s murder will definitely come under discussion, they added.

“The interior minister is going to discuss three issues –possible legal reference against the MQM founding leader, Baloch separatists stirring violence in Pakistan and Imran Farooq’s murder case,” a senior official of the interior ministry told The Express Tribune.

The interior minister, who will go to Italy after concluding his London visit, will call for an action against Altaf under the UK laws, believed the official. The MQM chief has been seeking help of hostile spy agency operating from India to interfere in Pakistan’s affairs.

Three ministries – including interior ministry, 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 government has been claiming that Altaf’s ‘foul speeches’ worsen Karachi’s situation. The head of Balochistan Liberation Army, Hyrbyair Marri, who is currently residing in the UK, often issues statements about the unrest in Balochistan.

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