The contempt notice against MQM chief Altaf Hussain "is against the norms of justice" and "comments made by the honourable judge of a particular bench of the Supreme Court on November 28 calling for new delimitation in Karachi...were unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic, and an affront to the mandate of the people", insisted the Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Saturday.
According to a press handout, a joint meeting of the Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) was held in London and Pakistan on Saturday in order to discuss the contempt of court notice issued against the MQM leader Altaf Hussain by the Supreme Court.
"The meeting unanimously agreed that the contempt notice against Altaf Hussain is against the norms of justice as the comments made by the honourable judge of a particular bench of the Supreme Court on 28th November calling for new delimitations in Karachi so that no single party had a monopoly were unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic, and an affront to the mandate of the people."
The Co-ordination Committee said: "We believe that no judge has the right to equate the popular mandate of a political party with monopoly and to pass order to finish that mandate. It is the right of the people of Pakistan to decide as to which party they choose for their mandate. While addressing a gathering of MQM workers on 2nd December, Hussain had expressed public sentiments and had appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take notice of the inappropriate remarks of the honourable judge. Instead of taking notice of the judge, a contempt of court notice has been issued against Hussain which is against the norms of justice."
According to the Co-ordination Committee: "Altaf Hussain is not an individual. He is the head of the third largest political party of the country and enjoys the unflinching support of millions of people. Issuing a notice against him for giving voice to public sentiments has hurt the feelings of the people and has scorned their mandate."
"It is because of this that a wave of anger and resentment has swept across millions of people in the country who have held peaceful protests in many cities in order to express their sentiments. Ignoring their feelings would be equal to negating public aspirations." The Co-ordination Committee said that the MQM was "a staunch believer in the freedom and independence of judiciary". "The MQM feels that steps against any political party or a segment of population that could diminish the respect and dignity of institutions in the eyes of the public should be avoided." The Co-ordination Committee declared, in no uncertain terms, that the workers of the MQM would willingly "give their lives, but they would not bow before unjust decisions". -PR