Sindh PA censures MQM chief over statements

Islamabad - Three resolutions urge federal govt to bring Altaf back and hold his trial

The Sindh Assembly on Friday passed three resolutions by majority vote condemning Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain for his recent statements inviting foreign forces for interference in Pakistan and seeking to divide Sindh.
The resolutions were moved by lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. The ruling Pakistan People's Party also supported them amid ruckus by MQM members.
The resolution on Altaf's invitation to India, the UN and Nato forces to intervene on behalf of the Mohajirs urged the federal government to take notice of such statements, initiate moves to bring the MQM chief back home from self-exile in London and hold his trial.
Earlier, on Thursday Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammed Asif termed the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) as an 'enemy of Pakistan' over the party's letter to the Indian High Commission.
Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Asif said those who were involved in such activities could not even be considered Pakistanis.
"There are forums available to the MQM in Pakistan and if they have chosen to knock on India's doors, I would not even consider them Pakistanis."
According to reports in the media, the MQM had written a letter to the Indian high commission asking it to raise voice for the recovery of the alleged detained party workers. The MQM said it has written the letter to 55 embassies and not just India.
On the other hand, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the party had not written any such letter to the Indian high commission.
Meanwhile, in a fresh speech to party workers on telephone from London, Altaf claimed that conspiracies were being hatched in Islamabad against him and his party to create a parallel MQM. Plans were being made to form a new party, he said.
He criticised the army generals 'for being after him.' "Thousands of workers have been killed and many others have gone missing. If I don't write letters to the UN, then who should I go to? The courts are not listening to us," Altaf alleged.
The MQM chief said that raids were being conducted at their offices and head offices.
"The Rangers have presented us a list of men they want. They should have given the phone numbers and addresses."
Lashing out at the party's Rabita Committee, he said that few Rabita Committee members have settled abroad after minting money from MQM, leaving the party in difficult times.
"If the Rabita Committee left me, what should I do," he questioned, asking the committee to hold a massive rally within a week at Tibet Centre and gather details about all missing workers, telling them to contribute and give donations for the event.
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