The Lahore High Court on Wednesday termed the report on action against the Muttahida Quasi Movement's London-based leader under treason charges as unsatisfactory and directed the interior secretary to submit a clear reply within fortnight. A full bench headed by Justice Syed Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi observed that the people who spoke against Pakistan deserved a strict action. The bench was hearing identical petitions seeking cancellation of MQM's registration as political party and action against Altaf Hussain under treason charges.
Earlier, Interior Secretary Arif Khan presented a report that showed cases were registered against Hussain in Sindh province for hate speeches under Anti-Terrorism Act and other laws which were pending before the trial courts. The secretary revealed that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar during his visit to the UK had raised the issue with the British government.
The report shows that an advice had been sought from the election commission of Pakistan on possible action that could be taken against the MQM. However, it said, the party was registered in the name of Farooq Sattar and Altaf Hussain was not elected office-bearer of the MQM as the official letterhead of the MQM carried his name as founder of the party.