The government's "mysterious silence" on the statement of Altaf Hussain is a point to ponder, stated the Leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday, adding that the ruling party is likely to "sabotage" the National Assembly session requisitioned by the PML-N.
"We have reports that the government will raise question of quorum in the National Assembly whenever it gets an opportunity," Chaudhry Nisar said while addressing a news conference here at the Punjab House. He said government's silence on Altaf's statement was "very meaningful" which was a clear reflection of the mindset of the "ruling junta", but no political party had supported the "uncalled for" statement of the "MQM mastermind, who is running a Pakistan-based party from outside Pakistan."
PML-N leader said that in these testing times his party was ready to withdraw privilege motion against Altaf Hussain from the National Assembly if he withdrew his statement. "I feel it will be the best way out of this issue," he opined. Nisar said if Altaf stuck to his guns and his party leaders continued what he said mud-slinging on the PML-N leadership then the MQM leader would be "shown the mirror" during the upcoming National Assembly session on September 2.
Nisar said the privilege motion submitted by the MQM against Nawaz Sharif's exile 10 years ago was in no way valid, arguing that the question of privilege of a member or of the house could be raised only on an incident of present nature. He asked: "why didn't MQM raise this question privilege in the last assembly"?
He said the PML-N had requisitioned the National Assembly session on one-point agenda containing flood situation in the country but they would now take up the Altaf's statement first as "it is question of constitutional image of the country and of the armed forces."
He said if the MQM leader was so worried about corrupt politicians then he should first part ways with the government and support the opposition's stance on the accountability bill. Nisar said why Altaf Hussain did not talk about corrupt politicians when his party members were sitting with the beneficiaries of NAB in the federal cabinet of Musharraf tenure.
He said he would once again bring on record the words used by Pervez Musharraf against Altaf Hussain when he was the army chief and not in the government during a meeting with him (Nisar) and Shahbaz Sharif. PML-N leader accused the MQM of cursing every army general such as Asif Nawaz and Jahangir Karamat who exposed the party leadership and sat with Pervez Musharraf who provided them "the cover". "Altaf Hussain ignored corruption when he was in Musharraf government and giving such statements when there is democratic government in the country," he said.
He said the MQM leader should tell the nation from where he got millions of pounds to purchase his house and party office in London. "There are no two opinions on the fact that the MQM runs a militant wing and they also believe in politics of 'Bhatta'," he said. He said he had to address this press conference in response to what he said mud-slinging on top PML-N leadership by MQM leaders.
To a question, the PML-N leader said the military spokesman should also have responded to MQM "irresponsible" statement as it was an attempt to create a rift in the army and to sabotage national unity. Responding to a question about his meetings with the army chief, he said he stopped meeting with General Kayani after he felt that the practice was not giving a good impression. Nisar said the government should take parliament into confidence about flood situation, amount of foreign assistance and relief and rehabilitation work. He regretted that the federal government had provided not even a single penny to the Punjab government as part of relief and rehabilitation of flood victims.