British High Commissioner Adam Thomson on Thursday contradicted the news reports regarding arrest of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, saying British government neither kept MQM chief under house arrest nor under observation and he (Altaf Hussain) was free to move without any restrictions.
Thomson was responding to media questions here at British High Commission where he hosted a reception to mark one-year to go to London 2012 Para-Olympic to meet Pakistani Para-Olympians hopeful for the London 2012 Games. The event was attended by a large number of Pakistani athletes who got medals in previous Para-Olympic Games. When asked whether the British government has kept MQM's chief Altaf Hussain under house arrest or imposed any restriction on his movement, Thomson said that the British authorities neither kept the MQM chief under house arrest nor he was under observation; rather he was free to move anywhere.
The British High Commissioner declined to comment on the letter sent by MQM chief to the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair rather said that Altaf Hussain could better respond to this. Zulfiqar Mirza, besides levelling other serious allegations against MQM and its chief, also alleged Altaf had send a letter to the then British Premier Tony Blair in 2011 urging him to get Pakistan's premier spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence 'disbanded' before "it created more Osamas". He said that MQM did not write any letter to British authorities regarding Zulfiqar Mirza.
To another query, he said that investigation into the murder of Dr Imran Farooq was underway. Earlier, talking to Pakistani Para-Olympian, he said, "Today marks one year to go to the 2012 London Para-Olympic Games." He said it has been a pleasure to host some of Pakistan's Para-Olympian hopeful, of which some of them are already medal winners, here at the High Commission."
The high commissioner said: "They are an inspiration for many people here in Pakistan who have a physical disability and they show that having a disability isn't a barrier to achieving your potential." He said, "They are some of the most determined and inspiring athletes I have ever met. The UK wants to harness the opportunity the Games present to bring about a change in the way people think, feel and behave towards disability and disability sport in order to create a more open and inclusive society."
The High Commissioner said, "The UK is renowned internationally for leading the way in disability equality and we want to maintain this reputation." "We're also using the Games to encourage more disabled people into sport at the grassroots level. This will not only help us find the next generation of Para-Olympians but also demonstrate how sports can enrich the lives of disabled people," he added.
He said the Para-Olympic Games (and the Olympics a few weeks before them) are not just about inspirational performances from the world's greatest athletes they are about the people of Britain welcoming the world, and they are about millions of people from across the globe coming together to share in an unforgettable experience.
The High Commissioner said, "With just a year to go, I want to use this opportunity to encourage people around the world to be part of the 2012 Para-Olympic experience. The Para-Olympic Games are the pinnacle of an athlete's career and every body hopes they motivate others to participate or engage in Para-Olympic sports and help increase social awareness to help create a more inclusive world."
In London in 2012 there will be more than 4,200 athletes from 160 countries to fight for 471 medals. There will be 20 sports at the 2012 Para-Olympic Games that include Para-Olympic Archery, Para-Olympic Athletics, Boccia, Para-Olympic Cycling, Road and Track, Para-Olympic Equestrian, Football 5-a-side, Football 7-a-side, Goalball, Para-Olympic Judo, Power lifting, Para-Olympic Rowing, Para-Olympic Sailing, Para-Olympic Shooting, Para-Olympic Swimming, Para-Olympic Table Tennis, Volleyball, Sitting Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Tennis. The Para-Olympic Games run from the 29th August until the 9th September just two weeks after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
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