MQM to challenge LHC verdict against Altaf Hussain's speeches

Decision comes after LHC directed Pemra to ban broadcast of speeches, images of MQM chief across all electronic media

KARACHI: Hours after the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed a ban on speeches of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, the party said that they will challenged the order.

“We will challenge the decision of the Lahore High Court in the Supreme Court as well as file review petition in the LHC,” announced party lawyer Farogh Naseem at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Monday.

The decision came after LHC directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ban the broadcast of speeches (live or recorded) and images of MQM chief Altaf Hussain across electronic media

The MQM leader said that while interim orders cannot be challenged, there are some exceptions, and while using the legal recourse available, the party will approach the Supreme Court over it.

Read: LHC bans broadcast of Altaf's speeches, pictures

Pointing out shortcomings in the court’s decision, he said that the petitions filed had no proper addresses of the respondents, and therefore neither the MQM nor Altaf Hussain had been given any notice.

He said that three petitions have been filed in Lahore regarding Altaf’s speech, disqualification of Rabita Committee members including Farooq Sattar, and a ban on the MQM.

“Technically the petitions should not have been entertained,” contended the MQM Senator. “In one of the petitions, the address of Altaf Hussain is simply given as Nine Zero Karachi. Where is Nine-Zero?”

In other petitions filed against Rabita Committee members, no proper address was given, he said.

Naseem said that the background of these petitions goes back to the Karachi law and order case in the Supreme Court when political opponents called for MQM to be banned. The court then had said that it wouldn’t ban any party and that a decision could only be taken by the federal government.

The party leaders said that while they respected the court, this order was in breach of justice.

Also speaking at the press conference, MQM senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the under 10 (A) of the Constitution, they deserve a fair trial, saying that the decision was not based on justice.

“The decision has been taken without hearing our side. While the premier, the federal cabinet, the federal government have also been asked to respond, without their consent the decision has been taken. No opportunity has been given to our lawyers to respond. What was the hurry?” he asked, calling the ban very hurtful and unfortunate.

MQM workers stage protest against LHC decision 

Reacting to the Lahore High Court's judgment, workers of MQM staged protest demonstrations in several districts of Sindh on Monday evening.

The protests were organised outside the press clubs in Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar and Mirpurkhas districts.