An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday issued Non Bail-able Warrants (NBWs) for the arrest of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and other party leaders for delivering and facilitating hate speeches. MQM Chief Altaf Hussain was accused of delivering hate-speeches against military establishment and other security agencies, while other leaders including Dr Farooq Sattar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Rehan Hashmi, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, Rauf Siddiqui and Waseem Akhtar, who is also MQM's nominee to contest the mayor-ship of Karachi, were named in the charge sheet for facilitating and arranging Altaf's hate-speeches.
Over 100 cases were registered all over the country against the MQM chief under the clauses of the Pakistan Penal Code and Sections 6 and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 for making hateful remarks against the military. Ten out of these cases are pending before the ATC-I for trial.
In Tuesday's hearing, Waseem Akhter and Rauf Siddiqui, who are on the bail, appeared before the court for extension in the bail. The ATC extended their bails till February 22. Investigation Officer submitted that absconding accused including Altaf Hussain could not be arrested.