Islamabad
The controversial hate-speeches made by MQM supremeo Altaf Hussain have brought arch rivals ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) on the same page as far the MQM is concerned.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan lashed out at MQM Chief Altaf Hussain for his derogatory speeches and made it clear that no country would allow an expatriate to pass provocative remarks against its security forces and integrity.
He announced that the government of Pakistan would approach British authorities in this regard. “Altaf’s speeches” incite hate and provoke violence,” he said and labeled his remarks as “unacceptable” and “intolerable”. He said that no country could tolerate a person, especially if he was based outside the country, passing derogatory remarks against the state and its security forces.
The British authorities’ investigation into “Altaf’s illegal activities” had made him resort to “baseless allegations whereby he was spitting venom against the security agencies of the country”, he said.
Chaudhary said that Altaf was himself responsible for all that was happening to him, not the Army or Rangers. The language used by Altaf in relation to the 1971 war is identical to India’s rhetoric, he maintained. He said Urdu-speaking community was educated and well behaved, and Altaf’s language was not a true representation of the community. “It is in fact causing them disrespect,” he said.
The PTI leadership has made up its mind to issue strong rejoinder to the MQM leader for his aspersions about the armed forces and Rangers. The role of the MQM leadership in worsening the situation in Karachi would also be part of the reaction to be given by the PTI leadership, the sources said.
In the meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has also criticised Altaf Hussain for his Sunday and
other statements wherein Hussain tried to castigate the Rangers and armed forces. Khawaja’s reaction is also strong-worded like his cabinet colleague Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan.
Asif was targeted by the MQM recently for his harsh statement and he was asked to tender apology but the Minister straightaway declined. Asif’s reaction about the Altaf speech appeared immediate after Chaudhary Nisar’s observations. The sources hinted that MQM leader has paved the way Pakistan loving forces to come closer to each other.