MQM stages protest in London

LONDON: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has called on the British government to intervene and take notice of the ban on live speeches of the party leader and founder Altaf Hussain.

Members of the MQM Rabita Committee and workers, including women and children, gathered outside the residence of Prime Minister David Cameron.

The protesters carried placards demanding “right to freedom of expression” for their leader and described the ban on Altaf Hussain as against the democratic norms. The protesters were led by Muhammad Anwar, Mustafa Azizabadi and Babar Ghauri. Dr Imran Farooq’s widow Shumaila Imran Farooq was also present with her two sons. She didn’t speak to media.

A letter was delivered to 10 Downing Street by the MQM leaders calling on David Cameron to take notice of the issue and raise it with the Pakistani authorities. The letter said that it was important for the ban to be lifted because Altaf Hussain remained in touch with his people through “TV statements and speeches and use of his pictures and videos”. The letter told the British prime minister that Altaf Hussain also faces ban on print media where his statements and pictures cannot be carried.