Apology rejected, anti-Pak speakers to pay the price

Meeting under PM says no compromise to be made on country’s solidarity, dignity; action
against miscreants to be expedited; Nisar contacts UK officials for action against MQM chief

ISLAMABAD: Participants of a high-level meeting presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said here on Tuesday that those who speak ill of Pakistan will have to pay for it and their apology will not be accepted.

Without naming the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, it was stated that someone living in a foreign country would not be allowed to destroy peace in Karachi. It was decided that no compromise would be made on the country’s solidarity and dignity and the operation against miscreants will be expedited.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security Nasser Janjua briefed the prime minister on the meeting of the National Action Plan (NAP) implementation committee that was held a day earlier. Janjua also briefed the prime minister on various tasks that had been given to the relevant institutions.

Nawaz Sharif, during the meeting, praised the Rangers and law enforcement personnel for maintaining law and order in Karachi. The prime minister offered full cooperation on behalf of the federal government to the provincial government for maintaining peace in Karachi.

Participants of the meeting agreed that no one should be allowed to disturb the peace ofintegrity and security will be protected at all costs. They agreed that those who speak ill for Pakistan will have to pay for it. 

The meeting’s participants included Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, ISI chief Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar and Adviser to the PM on National Security Nasser Khan Janjua among others. On Monday, Altaf Hussain had instigated his supporters to attack offices of TV channels via his address from London. Altaf Hussain delivered an anti-Pakistan speech and called upon his followers to break TV channels for not providing him due coverage.

Altaf Hussain’s speech and the subsequent violence was criticised by Pakistan’s leading politicians including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah, PTI chief Imran Khan, PSP chief Mustafa Kamal and others. Nawaz Sharif had stated in categorical terms that nobody will be allowed to harm the national security and its prestige.

Responding to the controversial statement of the top MQM leader, he said in a statement that the inflammatory remarks made in Karachi against Pakistan have badly hurt the sentiments of the entire nation. “We all rose from this soil and would also end up in it. It is a must for us to safeguard the dignity of the country along with its territory,” the prime minister stated. -- Agencies

Shakeel Anjum adds: Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan contacted British high officials on Tuesday night and exchanged views regarding Monday’s speech of Altaf Hussain and incident of inciting crowd to agitation. He urged the UK government to take action against its citizen Altaf Hussain for inciting violence in Pakistan. 

The Interior Ministry sources quoting the minister said that use of British soil by somebody against integrity of Pakistan and action against peace is highly condemnable. He said Altaf Hussain used derogatory language against Pakistan and Pakistani institutions which not only insulted the whole nation especially the Urdu-speaking people, but he also committed a serious crime. He said the British government should assist in bringing into ambit of law a person who was involved in a serious crime.

Nisar said it should be ensured that no miscreant escapes from the law and dare to harass the peaceful citizens. He asked Director General Rangers Sindh Major General Bilal Akbar to ensure security of all media houses in collaboration with police in Karachi, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said.

The minister phoned the DG Rangers and expressed satisfaction on the overall law and order in Karachi and Sindh. He appreciated the performance of Rangers and police to maintain law and order in the province, especially in Karachi.