Imran Khan’s aide threatens civil action against Altaf Hussain

LONDON: A senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has threatened to launch civil action against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain here.
Sahibzada Jahangir, who is a senior advisor to Chairman PTI Imran Khan on overseas affairs, says he will file a civil suit against Altaf Hussain if the UK government failed to take action against Altaf for his alleged incitement speeches.
“I have consulted the lawyers and will be taking civil action, but first I have to exhaust the venue of approaching the British government and the Metropolitan Police demanding action against Altaf Hussain and his colleagues. If the British government fails to do anything then I will file civil case against Altaf,” Sahibzada Jahangir told The News.
PTI UK’s leader said after Imran Khan cautioned the MQM chief on Saturday and Sunday that if any of the PTI members was harmed during the NA-246 by-election campaign, a team of lawyers in London will take action against him on the grounds of alleged incitement of violence. Imran Khan has said he is in touch with lawyers in London and will go ahead with a legal action.
Sahibzada Jahangir, who is also elder brother of veteran PTI leader Fauzia Kasuri, said he will be going to the London High Court against Altaf Hussain. Sahibzada Jahangir said he had written letters to Ten Downing Street and the Metropolitan Police chief demanding action against Altaf Hussain.
“I have sent dossiers to them explaining why Altaf Hussain should be stopped from creating troubles in Karachi and rest of the country. I want the UK government to be honest with Pakistan and not allow its soil to be used for troubles against an ally like Pakistan. It’s time for the UK authorities to stop playing games and act firmly.”
He added: “It’s astonishing for me to see that the British government, its intelligence agencies and the Metropolitan Police stand by and are silent while one of their nationals is clearly and openly interfering in the affairs of another country. Neither has the past nor the present government of Nawaz Sharif seriously taken the matter up with the UK administration. We strongly urge the UK authorities that he should be prohibited from using the electronic communication system by which he addresses the people in Karachi. Should the UK government fail to act then we will be compelled to exercise our rights in taking this matter to the courts.”
Scotland Yard had previously initiated an investigation against Altaf Hussain over alleged incitement to violence after the 2013 general elections in Pakistan but later on dropped the case as the police found “no evidence of any criminality”.
The police said Altaf Hussain may have used “controversial language” but didn’t break the laws of the country. The MQM maintains that Altaf Hussain has exercised his right to speech without breaking any laws and he will continue to speak up his mind whenever needed. For Imran Khan’s supporters in the UK, the only option will be to start a civil case and the police will not re-open a case on which a decision has already been made.