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The NEWS
Monday, May 12, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan has finalised preparations to file a formal case with a British court against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, The News learnt here on Sunday. However, a senior MQM leader made it clear that his party and its leadership had nothing to do with violence and had always worked for the supremacy of parliament and strengthening of democracy.
"Both Altaf Bhai and the MQM are victims of political expediencies and are themselves looking for justice," he maintained. Sources in the Tehrik-e-Insaf told this correspondent that legal experts of the PTI had given final touches to documents to be filed along with the case against the self-exiled leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Apparently, there is now hardly any chance of Imran getting cooperation from the ruling coalition government on the application the party chairman had filed against Altaf Hussain mid-last year, sources said.
"In the given situation, the chances of the ruling coalition's survival appear bleak what to talk of the government allowing the Scotland Yard to visit Pakistan for a probe," these sources pointed out.
This correspondent tried to contact Imran Khan, but he was not available for comments. However, PTI Central Information Secretary Omar Cheema confirmed that the party was ready to file a case in a British court against the MQM leader.
In reply to a question, he said that Imran was optimistic initially that the new government would not impede the investigations by the British police but the persistent differences between the PPP and the PML-N had compelled him to pursue the matter through a London court.
He recalled how the former PML-led government had twice not allowed his party leader to land in Karachi and the caretaker government of Sindh once, for his stance against the MQM and its leadership.
Omar Cheema contended that the MQM's inclusion into the Sindh cabinet and its expected representation in the federal government, if everything went well in the coming weeks, could ultimately leave the PTI chairman with no other option but to leave for London to push for a probe into Altaf Hussain's role in violence.
The PTI information secretary, however, noted that Imran Khan had been requested by the party not to leave Pakistan at this critical juncture as his presence here was more important than leaving for Britain.
"The party leader is also convinced and has, for the moment, shelved the London visit, but preparations have been completed to file a case against Altaf," he said. Last year, Imran Khan had filed an application with the British police against Altaf Hussain and had charged that the MQM leader had masterminded the May 12, 2007 massacre. In order to further investigate his allegations against the MQM leader, the Scotland Yard had wanted to visit Pakistan but was not allowed to do so.
Playing down the issue, a senior MQM leader, who did not want to be named, made it clear that his party and its leadership had always worked for the supremacy of parliament and strengthening of democracy.
"Both Altaf Bhai and the MQM are victims of political expediencies and are themselves looking for justice," he maintained, saying the party leader had nothing to do with violence of any kind.
Monday, May 12, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan has finalised preparations to file a formal case with a British court against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, The News learnt here on Sunday. However, a senior MQM leader made it clear that his party and its leadership had nothing to do with violence and had always worked for the supremacy of parliament and strengthening of democracy.
"Both Altaf Bhai and the MQM are victims of political expediencies and are themselves looking for justice," he maintained. Sources in the Tehrik-e-Insaf told this correspondent that legal experts of the PTI had given final touches to documents to be filed along with the case against the self-exiled leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Apparently, there is now hardly any chance of Imran getting cooperation from the ruling coalition government on the application the party chairman had filed against Altaf Hussain mid-last year, sources said.
"In the given situation, the chances of the ruling coalition's survival appear bleak what to talk of the government allowing the Scotland Yard to visit Pakistan for a probe," these sources pointed out.
This correspondent tried to contact Imran Khan, but he was not available for comments. However, PTI Central Information Secretary Omar Cheema confirmed that the party was ready to file a case in a British court against the MQM leader.
In reply to a question, he said that Imran was optimistic initially that the new government would not impede the investigations by the British police but the persistent differences between the PPP and the PML-N had compelled him to pursue the matter through a London court.
He recalled how the former PML-led government had twice not allowed his party leader to land in Karachi and the caretaker government of Sindh once, for his stance against the MQM and its leadership.
Omar Cheema contended that the MQM's inclusion into the Sindh cabinet and its expected representation in the federal government, if everything went well in the coming weeks, could ultimately leave the PTI chairman with no other option but to leave for London to push for a probe into Altaf Hussain's role in violence.
The PTI information secretary, however, noted that Imran Khan had been requested by the party not to leave Pakistan at this critical juncture as his presence here was more important than leaving for Britain.
"The party leader is also convinced and has, for the moment, shelved the London visit, but preparations have been completed to file a case against Altaf," he said. Last year, Imran Khan had filed an application with the British police against Altaf Hussain and had charged that the MQM leader had masterminded the May 12, 2007 massacre. In order to further investigate his allegations against the MQM leader, the Scotland Yard had wanted to visit Pakistan but was not allowed to do so.
Playing down the issue, a senior MQM leader, who did not want to be named, made it clear that his party and its leadership had always worked for the supremacy of parliament and strengthening of democracy.
"Both Altaf Bhai and the MQM are victims of political expediencies and are themselves looking for justice," he maintained, saying the party leader had nothing to do with violence of any kind.