Daily Times

KARACHI: In an apparent ‘smart move’, Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar on Tuesday tried to save Altaf Hussain by saying that all decisions of the party would be made by the leadership in Pakistan, an obvious reference to the party’s Rabita Committee.

Dr Sattar, during a crowded press conference at the Karachi Press Club, distanced the MQM from the anti-Pakistan speech made by Altaf Hussain on Monday and said the party chief should be given time to get proper “treatment of mental or physical stress”. Until then, all decisions of the party would be made by the Rabita Committee, he said.

“The entire situation arose after the hate speech of Altaf Hussain at a hunger strike camp… and we (the people of MQM) have to face the situation here in the country,” Sattar added.

Farooq Sattar said his party would operate from Pakistan alone, an apparent reference to the leadership of MQM under Altaf Hussain who controls the party from London. He said that Altaf Hussain’s frequent apologies after incendiary statements “is an issue that needs to be resolved”. Referring to the party chief’s statement issued earlier, Sattar said, “If such statements are a result of mental stress, that stress needs to be taken care of first.”

He said it would be better to operate the party from Pakistan until Altaf Hussain’s health issues were resolved, because such statements push the MQM into confinement.

“Altaf Hussain and the entire party [leaders and workers] are being ridiculed due to these statements. Whatever the reason given for these statements, it keeps happening and it is important to address this issue as well,” he admitted. “We own that there is a problem, and Altaf Hussain keeps asking for forgiveness. Until this issue is addressed, we’ve decided that sanity should prevail,” he said.

To a question, Dr Farooq Sattar said, “We cannot provide any more clarity on this… It is the MQM’s policy from day one to condemn violence and torture.”

He said that every MQM worker, leader, voter and well-wisher denounces the party chief’s anti-Pakistan slogans.

“We will not allow this to happen again. We totally disassociate ourselves from the violence that took place in Karachi yesterday,” he said, adding that it was totally against the party’s policy to use violence to achieve “our goals”.

“There is no room for any militant or militant wing. We were not expecting that the situation (attack on ARY News) would unfold in such a manner… The MQM is registered in Pakistan and recognises the laws and constitution of Pakistan.”

“We were with our friends, the Rangers, for eight hours… It should be clear that we are not speaking under the influence of anyone else… Everything I say is in line with the MQM’s policy.”

Announcing that the party would finalise its next move in a few days, Sattar said that the party’s offices should be allowed to reopen and resume operations.