Scotland Yard drops one investigation against Altaf

LONDON: Scotland Yard has decided to drop the ‘incitement of hate speech’ investigation against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain.

Specialist Crime and Operations officers had opened an inquiry in May last year — soon after the 11th May general elections — after thousands of people had written to the Metropolitan Police complaining that the MQM leader had threatened protesters in Karachi who had gathered at the Teen Talwar venue in Karachi and also another of Hussain’s speeches in which it was alleged that Altaf Hussain had issued open threats and incited violence against the democratic protesters.

But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has told the police that there was no sufficient evidence against Altaf Hussain to prosecute him, therefore, the case shall not be pursued any further. The News understands that a letter has been sent to the MQM informing the party that the investigation had been dropped.

When contacted by The News, the Scotland Yard confirmed that Altaf Hussain’s speeches of the time “do not constitute a criminal offence” and “consequently there will be no further action taken by police.”

Without naming Altaf Hussain, the spokesman said that in May, 2013, the Metropolitan Police Service received “a large number of complaints, totalling several thousand, following speeches from an individual associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).”

He added: “Specialist Crime and Operations officers carried out extensive searches to locate and gather, what was a substantial amount of material, all of which required translation.“After careful examination and in close consultation with the CPS, the Met has concluded that though the comments may offend some members of the community, they do not constitute a criminal offence. Consequently, there will be no further action taken by police.”

The spokesman added that the police take all allegations of crime seriously, responding to the concerns raised and will take action where appropriate. He confirmed that the “hate speech inquiry” was “in no way linked to the investigation into money laundering offences which was widely reported, following an arrest being made, earlier this month”.

The decision by the police will come as a relief to the MQM leader who is currently on police bail in relation to the money-laundering investigation.The News has learnt that the police used different Urdu language interpreters and language experts to look into the words of Altaf Hussain and then took advice from criminal law experts who told the police that if the matter reaches the court, Altaf Hussain’s lawyers could interpret his speech in totally different meaning and context than the one suggested by the prosecution. The CPS advised that in front of a jury, the chances of this case succeeding were very poor. The CPS advised the police not to bother with this investigation anymore.

The MQM had contested that its leader didn’t threaten protesters belonging to Imran Khan’s party, the PTI. Farooq Sattar had sent a letter to the police stating that Altaf Hussain was not “responsible for the murder of Ms Zahra Shahid Hussain” as alleged by Imran Khan.

Sattar explained in the letter that Altaf Hussain had not threatened anyone and translated Altaf Hussain’s Urdu words “may laraee jhegra nahee chahta werna tau may apnay satheeon ko kehoon tau wo teen talwar phohonch ker talwaroon ko asel shakel day dain gey” in English as “I do not want to quarrel or fight with anyone otherwise I would only have to order my associates that they reach Teen Talwar (Three swords monument in Clifton) and make them real”.

Sattar explained in the letter: “The above quoted words of Mr Hussain very clearly indicate his intentions that he doesn’t want to fight anyone and the phraseology that swords of monument could be converted into real swords would have carried any real meaning and threat only if Mr Hussain had failed to clarify that he doesn’t believe in physical fight.”

Altaf asks govt to support army in eliminating Taliban

 

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain, has demanded of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to support the armed forces in eliminating the terrorists.
Altaf was addressing on the 36th founding day of the All Pakistan Muttahida Students (APMSO) on Wednesday. While extending condolences to the families of victims of the Karachi airport attack, Altaf said he was not in favour of peace talks with those responsible for the martyrdom of innocent people and army men.

Referring to Tahir-ul-Qadri’s announcement of returning to Pakistan, the party chief said that if the government created any hindrances in his protests, the MQM workers will stage a protest in Qadri’s support.

The MQM chief reiterated that his party was against all forms of violence and firmly believed in achieving its objectives through peaceful and democratic means. Demanding development funds for Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure, Altaf said that Karachi was the economic hub of Pakistan and belonged to every Pakistani regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.

“From the first day of APMSO’s inception in 1978, I have always preached my followers to refrain from violence and achieve our objectives through peaceful democratic means. I have always asked the APMSO and MQM members to become exemplary citizens and promote values of respect and tolerance in their ranks and file,” Altaf said.

“The MQM stands firmly against religious extremism and denounces the recent acts of terrorism in Karachi where city’s airport and training facilities of the Airport Security Force (ASF) were attacked by religious extremists,” he remarked.

Commenting on recent events in London, the MQM chief said that “the Metropolitan Police afforded me the best possible medical care and were very kind in their dealings with me and for which I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

“I believe in the supremacy of law and have been fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations in London. My cooperation will continue as these investigations are part of due process and perfectly normal in a democratic country,” he added.

Earlier, MQM Deputy Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said no one could obliterate the MQM because the movement had thousands of martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for it.

Ban on Geo excessive, one-day suspension was enough: Altaf

 

LONDON: Altaf Hussain, the exiled leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), has strongly condemned the suspension of Geo’s licence saying that the decision by Pemra was excessive as the ban could have perhaps been slapped “for a day”.
He suggested that the Geo licence suspension was an attack on the free press and expressed his support for the freedom of the media.

He said that he respected and trusted the British justice system and hoped that justice will be done in the case of the money-laundering probe for which he was arrested and released on police bail.

Speaking live from the International Secretariat soon after his release from the Southwark Police Station, Hussain, 60, who has been living in the UK since 1991, said that he would not comment on his case because it is with the authorities but said he hoped justice would prevail and that he respected “British laws and the judicial system”.

Altaf Hussain was arrested on Tuesday morning by Scotland Yard from his home on suspicion of money-laundering but he spent three nights in the Wellington Hospital due to his ill health.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: “The 60-year-old man arrested on Tuesday 3 June on suspicion of money laundering has been released on police bail to a date in July pending further enquiries. Police bail is the term used when a person arrested in connection with a criminal offence is released from police custody whilst the police investigation continues and until they are next required to appear at a police station. When a person is released on police bail they are required to return to the police station at a specific date and time”. The news of Mr Hussain’s release prompted celebrations across the world wherever his party has a presence, including in London. On the Borough High Street, traffic came to a halt as Hussain came out of his car’s sun roof and waved to his supporters who had been waiting outside the police station for over 10 hours.

“Those who stick with what is just never have to face defeat. I believe in Imam Hussain (AS) who mounted a struggle for the right reasons in Karbala against the forces of Yazeed. Like a true Hussaini who believes in the cause of justice and fairness, I will never surrender even if it means sacrificing my life for the fulfillment of a right cause. I will never stop speaking the truth, be it before the Pakistani authorities or the British. My mission will continue regardless of what happens to me,” a defiant Hussain told his charged supporters, who kept raising slogans at the International Secretariat at regular intervals to express their support to Mr Hussain.

Hussain said he never retreated from his stance and he would continue to say what is right, irrespective of how tough the time may be. “Every person deserves the right of equivalent treatment…. I did not bow before forces even when I was arrested in 1992,” he said.

Altaf Hussain thanked the staff at the Wellington Hospital and the Metropolitan police staff for congenial treatment during his stay at the hospital and police custody. “The police attitude was hospitable both in the lockup and at hospital and I am thankful to them for this.”

Altaf Hussain expressed his gratitude for “those who raised their voice over his arrest”. Hussain mentioned all political parties, minus the PTI, and thanked them for their support but praised PM Nawaz Sharif for showing leadership and arranging consular access for him.

Altaf Hussain was welcomed at the International Secretariat by Dr Asim Hussain and Wajid Shamsul Hasan. A delegation of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) headed by Ifzaal Siddiqui remained at the police station and at the MQM Secretariat to show support on behalf of former President Pervez Musharraf.

Altaf began his speech with recitation from the Holy Quran. He added: “The greatest strength for people who struggle against injustices is patience. It is the patience that enabled the Ahle-Bait to prevail over the forces of Yazeed forever. Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) sacrificed his life but did not bow his head before the forces of Yazeed. When my brother and nephew were arrested, I did not beg for their lives. I accept martyrdom like Imam Hussain (AS).”

Hussain said that his legal team was looking into the allegations of money-laundering and will be formulating a response as per requirements but refused to comment any further on this.

MQM Houston chapter expresses solidarity with Altaf

HOUSTON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Houston supporters and workers expressed solidarity with the party chief Altaf Hussain, after his arrest over charges of money laundering.

The supporters and workers of MQM gathered at hill craft centor at Houston holding placards and chanting slogans in support Mr Hussain.

MQM Houston Unit in charge Imtiaz Ahsan said the supporters and workers would not be satisfied until they hear Altaf Hussain’s voice.

He said Hussain was the only leader who guaranteed Pakistan's strength, and that the unseen hands tried to stop Altaf Hussain to unite the country and put it to the path of prosperity.

 

Govt can’t interfere in Altaf issue: Pervaiz

 

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that the government cannot intervene in the issue of the MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s arrest as the UK has its own laws relevant to the matter.
Addressing the concluding session of the first parliamentary conference on Millennium Development Goals and later talking to media persons, Pervaiz Rashid said the moment when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif heard about the arrest of the MQM chief, he directed the Pakistani counsellor in the UK to extend moral and legal assistance in this regard.

The minister hoped that the MQM leadership would play a key role to bring the situation in Karachi back to normality. He added that Altaf Hussain was ill and everyone was concerned about his illness.

Denouncing the statement by Aitzaz Ahsan, the minister said the government extended full support to the issue of a passport and identity card to Altaf Hussain. He asked why the PPP government did not give Altaf Hussain a passport and an identity card during its five-year tenure, and added that it was not good to criticise the present government baselessly.

He said that people should not make such statements that might provoke violence in Karachi. He noted that Aitzaz Ahsan should understand that if the situation in Karachi worsened, it would create problems for their government in the province.

He said that first Dr Tahirul Qadri confined himself to a warm container and left the people to suffer from pneumonia and now Dr Qadri had the intention to call the people for a second time. But now the people would not be victimised by his cruelty.

PPI adds: Pervaiz Rashid said the government is against terrorists and stands firmly with the institutions of national security.He paid rich tributes to the army officers and Jawans who sacrificed their lives in two terrorist attacks. He said the sacrifices of the personnel of national security institutions would always be remembered.

The minister said it was a unanimous decision of the nation to oppose terrorism and stand by the national security institutions.To a question, he said the strategy made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to address the menace of terrorism was being implemented by national security institutions.

He said this strategy was successful and its outcome would help make Pakistan a peaceful and secure country.He said the government would do in the case of Altaf Hussain what it does for any Pakistani facing any difficulty in any part of the globe.

Pervaiz Rashid said it was everyone’s responsibility to help secure Karachi. He said no one sitting in Islamabad should try to create problems in Karachi especially when its consequences could be negative for the opposition as well.He said all those who have some influence in Karachi should play their role to defuse the situation in the city.

He said Imran Khan listened to the address of President Mamnoon Hussain to the joint session of the parliament with interest. “This shows he believes in the parliamentary system,” he added.

PM directs Pakistani HC in London to provide consular access to Altaf

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed Pakistani High Commission (HC) to London for providing consular access to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain immediately, Geo News reported.

According to the spokesman of Prime Minister House, the government was ready to provide legal and moral assistance to Altaf Hussain.

The federal government termed reaction in Karachi over Altaf’s arrest ‘regretful’, saying that damaging life and property is against the law.

PM Nawaz directed Sindh government and law enforcement agencies to ensure safety of life and property of masses in the province.

Afaq demands removal of billboards describing Altaf as ‘Father of the Nation

KARACHI: Chief of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM-H) Afaq Ahmed has demanded that banners and hoardings with the pictures of Altaf Hussain describing him as the “Father of the Nation” be removed immediately from the city otherwise his party would take legal course of action in this regard.

He said that Altaf Hussain and his party be taken to task for “dishonouring the founder of the country” by terming the MQM chief as the “Father of the Nation”.

“Hoardings, billboards and posters inscribed with ‘Father of the Nation’ are being posted across the city ahead of an MQM rally on Sunday to express solidarity with Altaf Hussain,” Afaq Ahmed said.

He said that if the banners and hoardings with the pictures of Altaf Hussain describing him as the “Father of the Nation” were not removed immediately, the MQM-H would take legal course of action in this regard.

He said that protests were being held against Geo for blaming a secret agency but why no action taken against a party that had caused disrespect to the founder of the country.

Nawaz must end clash among institutions: Altaf

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must come forward and play his role in ending clash among the institutions.

He said that if there were any harm to democracy, they all would be responsible for this.Altaf made an appeal to the prime minister to play a constructive role in steering Pakistan out of crises.

“Mian Nawaz Sharif holds an important post. Pakistan is facing internal and external challenges. The situation demands that he should not waste time and take into confidence the lawmakers in the National Assembly and Senate to build a consensus to tackle internal challenges being faced by the nation. He can also convene an all parties’ conference for this purpose”, Altaf said in a statement released from London.

“In this crisis, the prime minister should not desert the nation. He must come forward and lead the nation. We have got this democracy after rendering enormous sacrifices”, he said.Altaf added that he had made this appeal because Pakistan’s security and survival was at stake.

“Mian Nawaz Sharif is the prime minister of Pakistan. The person who holds this post must be responsible and generous,” the MQM chief added.“Our country is economically weak and needs foreign aids for its survival. We need national solidarity, unity and harmony among people and good relations among the institutions,” he said.Altaf said that prime minister and colleagues should pay attention to his recommendations.

Interior Ministry writes to FO over Altaf passport request

ISLAMABAD: Interior Ministry has told the Foreign Office that Muttahida Qaumi Movment Chief Altaf Hussain will have to get National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) before his passport is renewed.

According to Geo News, the Interior Ministry wrote to Foreign office over Altaf Hussain's request for renewal of Pakistani passport and national identity card that the MQM chief will have to visit Pakistan High Commission London.

The ministry said that all the documentation will be done in Pakistan High Commission London.

Altaf demands to stop illegal activities of ‘death squad’

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain has expressed concerned over “illegal arrests” of the party workers by alleged police personnel in civilian cloths.

In a statement issued here Monday, Altaf Hussain demanded of the Karachi Police Chief Shahid Hayat, IG Sindh Iqbal Mehmood and DG Rangers Major General Rizwan Akhtar to take immediate notice and get the arrested MQM workers released.

He also called for stern action against the policemen involved in this “illegal activity” and to stop the active “death squad” allegedly involved in the killings of the MQM workers.

Altaf hints at early homecoming

 

KARACHI: The self-exiled London-based MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, on Saturday hinted of his imminent homecoming saying that Pakistan was his home and will remain so forever.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Nazeer Hussain University, Karachi, over the phone from London, Altaf confirmed media reports about his furnishing an application with the Pakistan High Commission for the renewal of his Pakistani passport.

He said if his application was rejected, his legal team would seek justice from the higher courts. He said the MQM never demanded the separation of Sindh; rather it wanted justice for all Sindhis.

He further said his party stood for establishing peace, not only in Karachi but also in the country, the region and the world.He said Musharraf was not even on the ground when Nawaz Sharif’s government was toppled in 1999 and it was others who had arrested Nawaz.

He asked why only Musharraf was being tried for breaching the Constitution. “Why are those who were involved in aiding and abetting the coup being spared?” He said if Musharraf was to be hanged those who arrested Nawaz should also meet the same fate.

He further said: “We want to establish friendly relations with Pakistan’s neighbouring countries with dignity and mutual respect.”The MQM chief also said Islam was a religion of peace but some clerics had distorted its peaceful image through their irresponsible actions.“Islam teaches us tolerance and respect for all faiths, religions and beliefs. Islam teaches us to seek a peaceful resolution to conflicts and disputes through dialogue and negotiations.”