ATC declares Altaf, others absconders

An anti-terrorism court, while hearing on Saturday the case of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder’s “objectionable” speech, declared Altaf Hussain and 23 other party leaders including Dr Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan and Amir Khan as absconders.

The court ordered police to arrest the absconders and produce them on October 4.

Earlier, the court was presented a charge sheet on the speech by Altaf that was allegedly facilitated by Dr Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan, Amir Khan, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Salman Mujahid, Asif Hasnain, Haider Abbas Rizvi and others.

The court was also informed that Altaf and his accomplices were absconding. The court was further told that a CD had been found that clearly showed that Altaf delivering an objectionable speech in front of a gathering of women.

A charge sheet was submitted to the court that stated that Altaf and the other accused should be tried for the unethical speech.  The court issued non-bailable warrants against the accused and ordered theur arrest.

The court noted that Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar was the only accused who was under detention in this case.

The court has been hearing several cases pertaining to Altaf’s provocative speech against security institutions and military establishment but this was for the first time that case in connection with an “objectionable” speech was taken up.