The MQM heavyweight lamented the fact that the party leadership was not allowed to present its stance to public on Monday.
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Parts of Hussain’s speech that went viral on social media showed that while addressing MQM workers protesting outside the Karachi Press Club against “enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings”, he raised anti- Pakistan slogans and also called the country “a cancer for [the] entire world”.
But the latest outburst of incitement is different and Altaf Hussain himself admitted in his apology that he actually did incite violence in Pakistan and everyone in the MQM – and outside – agrees that MQM chief in his recent speech crossed the red line of laws governing Britain’s freedom of speech.
On Monday, after Hussain’s provocative address, MQM activists ransacked the office of ARY News before clashing with police, leaving at least one person dead and over half a dozen injured.
Referring to the rumors of factions within MQM he said, “The picture will be clear in a few days that how many MQMs will operate”, he said. “This message is for the London office as well as for Pakistan office-bearers; something which the Quaid won?t disagree with”.
On Monday, paramilitary forces raided and sealed off the MQM’s headquarters after party rank-and-file stormed the office of a television channel. The Karachi and Lahore police also registered two cases each against the party, according to Dawn.
“From the depth of my heart, I beg pardon for my remarks against Pakistan, the establishment, including General Raheel Sharif and DG Rangers”, Mr. Hussain said in a statement posted on Twitter. The MQM chief said he was under severe mental stress over the extra-judicial arrests and precarious condition of his workers on hunger strike in Karachi.
Mr Hussain is known for his fiery addresses to his supporters in Karachi though a loudspeaker connected to a telephone in his London home.
But the party remains a major electoral force and in December swept local elections.
“No Urdu-speaking will support Altaf Hussain on anti-Pakistan slogans”, claimed Nisar.
Karachi’s newly elected mayor also requested the Sindh Chief Minister to help and guide him. The Rangers deny any abuse.
Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan contacted senior British officials and demanded action against Altaf Hussain’s derogatory speeches that sparked strife in Karachi.
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Hussain was arrested in June 2014 by British police on suspicion of money laundering charges, but later released on bail, leading to speculation that his once cosy ties with London – who viewed his party as a bulwark against Taliban terrorism – were fraying.
