LAHORE: A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) accepted the request of Interior Secretary Arif Khan and gave him time till November 10 to inform regarding steps taken by the federal government to restrain the MQM Chief Altaf Hussain from making statements against Pakistan and initiating high treason proceedings against him. Interior Secretary Arif Khan on Monday appeared before the court and informed that the government could not take an action against the MQM due to the fear of public reaction. The bench had inquired from him as to what steps the federal government so far had taken to stop recurrence of such speeches by the MQM leader. The secretary sought time from the court so that he could provide a detailed report regarding the federal government role in this regard, adding that so far the government had started consultations with the federal law division as well as the provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh. He informed that once the federal government had their point of view, it would be in a better position to make a decision. The bench remarked that the track record of this government showed that it never took any action in this regard. Additional Attorney General Naseer Ahmed Bhutta in his opening arguments appreciated the bench and the petitioner, who had raised a valid point. He also said that he was cramming the legal provisions to put before the bench, but after their questions, he forgot all of his preparations for the case. He said that MQM was divided in three factions; one was headed by Farooq Sattar, the other was headed by Mustafa Kamal, while the third was controlled from London. The bench observed that no one better than the secretary interior was aware of the situation in Balochistan, and what would happen if some other voices like that of MQM founder were raised. Bhutta replied that it was a political issue and the government was looking into it and being its representative, he was before the bench. Later, the bench accepted his request and adjourned the hearing till November 10. The bench comprised Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu and Justice Erum Sajjad Gull. It is pertinent to mention that the petition of this case was moved by advocates Muhammad Azhar Siddique, Sardar Aftab Virk and others. Earlier, Azhar Siddique submitted a petition that MQM founder was delivering anti-Pakistan speeches repeatedly, but the federal government was not taking any action against him. He said that Altaf made a speech on August 22, but no action was taken against him. Despite the order of the full bench, attorney general or any official of the interior ministry court not appear before the court, he added. At this, the bench expressed its displeasure and remarked that such behaviour of the government was condemnable. Another counsel Ahmad Awais said that under the Constitution of Pakistan, every political party must be patriot and loyal to the state. MQM Chief Altaf Hsain was involved in anti-Pakistan activities and in his speech had raised slogans against Pakistan, he added. Awais also submitted a petition that the MQM chief was a British national and was running the party from abroad, which was violation of the political parties’ registration law. He pointed out that under political parties Ordinance, 2002, the federal government had the right to impose ban on any party, which was not patriot or loyal to the state.