Hearing of cases against MQM-P leaders put off till Aug 5

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) has fixed August 5 as the next hearing date in the provocative speech and media house attack cases against Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders.

MQM-P leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Qamar Mansoor, Shahid Pasah, Gulfraz Khattak, Khawaja Izharul Hassan and others attended the hearing but the judge concerned was on leave. However, the act of issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants for five absconding accused was repeated.

Applications were moved on behalf of MQM-P leaders Amir Khan and Kunwar Naveed Jameel that requested the court to exempt them from court appearance because of their other commitments.

In this case, Dr Farooq Sattar and others are accused of hearing a telephonic speech made by MQM founder Altaf Hussain on August 22 last year outside the Karachi Press Club after which party workers chanted anti-country slogans and launched attacks on some media houses.

As many as 30 cases were heard by three ATCs against the MQM-P leaders and now August 5 has been fixed as the next date of hearing. The leaders are being tried for having acted as alleged facilitators to Altaf Hussain who made some controversial speeches and instigated workers to chant anti-country slogans.

In most of the cases, the investigation officers (IOs) have failed to appear before the courts concerned that led to adjournments of the hearings.

Media talk 

After his court appearance, Sattar while talking to journalists alleged that the Pakistan People Party (PPP) was “running a state within the state” and it was using “all its money earned through illegal means and corruption to secure victory in the PS-114 by-elections”.

He, however, said the MQM-P would still win the by-polls. He also thanked Mohajir Qaumi Movement Chairman Afaq Ahmed for supporting his party candidate, Kamran Tessori. He said Afaq’s support had produced a positive impact among the Urdu speaking voters.