KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution that calls for action under treason laws against those who issue anti-Pakistan statements.
In a surprising move, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-Pakistan demanded the initiation of treason proceedings against MQM’s de facto chief in the provincial assembly. The party’s lawmakers also termed Hussain ‘a traitor’.
Two resolutions condemning Hussain’s anti-Pakistan remarks were passed in the House. According to the text of one of the resolutions, the house “rejects the hateful speech by the MQM’s founder against the state, resulting in an attack on media houses, and demands proceedings against Altaf Hussain under Article 6 of the constitution.
The first resolution against Hussain was moved by MQM leader Syed Sardar Ahmed while PTI’s Khurram Sher Zaman, PML-F’s Nusrat Sehar Abbasi, PPP’s Khairunisa Mahgul and PML-N’s Sorath Thebo also presented similar resolutions.
MQM leader Rauf Siddiqui told the House that he was extremely saddened to hear anti-Pakistan chants from a person ‘he loved the most’. “There is no way we can allow any harm to be done to Pakistan or Islam,” Siddiqui said and added that such acts were unpardonable.
Further, MQM’s Faisal Sabzwari said the party was bound to serve the country and its people. “It was an extremely hard decision to part ways with that man (Altaf Hussain) but the party did it,” he said.
Sindh Assembly’s Opposition Leader Khawaja Izharul Haq said that the night of August 22 was extremely difficult for him as he had the option of joining another party – if he wanted to be labeled as patriotic again.
“But I can’t leave the party (MQM) in its troubled times as I have been associated with it for over 28 years,” he said while breaking into tears.
