Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chairman Altaf Hussain in an affidavit submitted before a Lahore High Court full bench on Friday said that his statements had been “misconstrued”.
The affidavit was submitted before the bench comprising Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu and Justice Erum Sajad Gull.
Altaf’s counsel Asma Jehangir submitted a three-page affidavit in which Altaf Hussain said that his words were misconstrued. Altaf said he explained his statement in three TV programmes later and if the law officers had presented the subsequent interviews, the court might have withheld its order regarding ban on his speeches. “However, I regret if anyone’s sentiments are hurt,” he said, adding that MQM was not unpatriotic.
At this stage, a federal law officer also submitted an afresh report regarding nationality of Altaf Hussain, in response to a previous court order.
Petitioners’ counsels submitted that Altaf Hussain’s affidavit was not attested by the Pakistani High Commission and it did not have legal worth.
At this, the bench adjourned the hearing till October 9 and asked parties to advance arguments on Altaf’s affidavit on next hearing.