PTI submits resolution against Altaf’s tirade

Karachi
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers in Sindh submitted a resolution in the provincial assembly on Monday against the recent “anti-state” and “anti-army” statement of Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain.
In the resolution, they described Hussain as a British citizen who was engaged in undue interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan.
The resolution was submitted to the assembly’s secretariat by the PTI’s parliamentary leader in the provincial legislature, Samar Ali Khan:
It read, “This House recommends the government of Sindh to approach the federal government against the statements made by a British citizen, Mr Altaf Hussain.
“The continuous interference by a British citizen in the internal affairs of our country is against all norms of international diplomacy. The PTI strongly condemns the recent derogatory and provocative statements made by Altaf Hussain, a British citizen.
“He has ridiculed the Pakistan Army and its leadership time and again and [the nation] is outraged over his recent plea to NATO and the United Nations to send [their] armed forces to Karachi and his appeal to India to get involved in our internal matters and to achieve vested interests through India.
“We expect the Government of Pakistan to act against him and approach the British Government to implement its laws against its citizen.”
Later, the PTI leader told reporters that the MQM chief’s recent statements had not only embarrassed the Urdu-speaking community but also embarrassed the entire nation
“It’s high time that the federal government seriously takes up the issue and raises it with the British government. Had the federal government acted timely, this embarrassing situation could have been avoided,” he said.
“I expect interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to play an active role in resolving this matter for good,” he added.
An earlier resolution submitted by PTI lawmakers against the MQM chief’s another controversial statement has been pending before the assembly since July 15.
MQM lawmakers too had submitted a resolution in response back then against PTI chairman Imran Khan for his alleged involvement in an attack on the PTV building in Islamabad and the words he had used against army generals during a private sitting.
The PTI, being a small opposition party in the Sindh Assembly having a strength of only four legislators, will require the support of Pakistan People’s Party lawmakers on the treasury benches and that of other opposition parties, sans the MQM, in the House to have the resolutions passed. The next session of the assembly will start from August7.

PTI, PML-Q seek action
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid have condemned the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief's remarks against armed forces demanding strict action against Altaf Hussain.
PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi said the federal government cannot afford to remain silent any longer, adding, “Again, Altaf has ridiculed the Pakistan Army and its leadership. The patience of the nation has reached its limits. The people of Pakistan want to know why the federal government is not taking action against Altaf Hussain and MQM for anti-state actions and speech. At least, an investigation should have begun by now, but so far there is no official reaction by the Prime Minister or his cabinet, why? Do they find anti-state action and speech acceptable? Why is the government tolerating a political party which has alleged support both financial and material from our sworn enemy India?”
He expressed outraged over Altaf’s plea to Nato and the United Nations to send armed forces to Karachi and Hussain’s appeal to India to get involved in our internal matters. He maintained that the demand for a “Mohajir” province was an attempt to provoke and cause division.
Meanwhile, PML-Q Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh has stressed that political parties should do politics while remaining in their domain instead of criticising an institution meant to defend the nation.
The federal government cannot afford to remain silent any longer and should take swift action against Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, said the Karachi president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Ali Zaidi.
“Altaf Hussain has ridiculed the Pakistan Army and its leadership yet again,” he said in a statement.
“The nation’s patience has reached its limits and the people want to know why the federal government is not taking any action against Altaf Hussain and the MQM for its anti-state actions.”