SHC seeks comments on plea to ban MQM, disqualify party legislators

Karachi

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued notices to federal and provincial law officers on a petition seeking ban on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and disqualification of its legislators following its founder Altaf Hussain’s anti-state speech on August 22.

Petitioner Moulvi Iqbal Haider submitted that MQM MNAs and MPAs heard the controversial speech at a workers’ gathering on August 22 in which highly objectionable remarks were uttered against the solidarity, integrity and security of the country. He maintained that MQM legislators till date neither agitated nor raised any slogans against Hussain, but disassociated themselves with the speech to save their skin.

He submitted that the federation of Pakistan was duty- bound to issue a notification banning the MQM in accordance with articles 5, 5, 17(2) of the constitution. As per Haider, the ban on legislators was justified since they secured votes on the MQM’s symbol, Kite, under the oath to serve Altaf Hussain’s leadership, on whose nominations they contested the election of senate, national and provincial assemblies.

He said that after Hussain’s speech, all MQM parliamentarians had no right to keep their parliamentary offices in any manner and should be prosecuted in terms of section 11-F of the anti-terrorism act (ATA) read with Article 6 of the Constitution. MQM legislators, speakers Senate, national and provincial assemblies and election commission were cited as respondents. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah issued notices to federal and provincial law officers, and called in their comments.