Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain Tuesday (today) apologised to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and Director General (DG) Rangers Maj-Gen Bilal Akber for his anti-Pakistan speech a day earlier.
The MQM supremo claimed he was under severe mental stress over extra-judicial arrests and the condition of his workers sitting at the hunger strike camp set up by his party outside the Karachi Press Club.
Read more: What MQM Chief Altaf Hussain actually said?
“From the depth of heart, I beg pardon from my remarks against Pakistan, the establishment including Gen Raheel Sharif and DG Rangers,” he said in a statement shared on Twitter by MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil.
“I was under severe mental stress over extra-judicial arrests and precarious condition of my workers sitting at the hunger strike camp.”
“Being a Pakistani, I assure the Pakistani people, establishment, army, ISI, all higher authorities and leaders that I will never use such words again,” the statement read.
Altaf also regretted the violence against media houses that were attacked in the aftermath of his speech and asked for the release of MQM leaders who were later arrested.
“I request the authorities to end actions taken against MQM and do not cut the party from the national mainstream.”
Hussain also regretted the violence against media houses that were attacked in the aftermath of his speech and asked for the release of MQM leaders who were later arrested.
Read more: Court issues non-bailable arrest warrant against Farroq Sattar, Khawaja Izhar
MQM leader Syed Ali Raza Abidi had hinted in a Tweet that the people who resorted to violence were not partied activists but had been “sent for a purpose”.
Requesting MQM workers to maintain discipline and remain peaceful. Disassociate yourself from violent mobs sent for a purpose!
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) August 22, 2016
Pakistan Zindabad forever! Issues need to be addressed, we are living in a democracy. Pakistan has come a long way, let’s make it stronger.
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) August 22, 2016
Activists of the MQM ransacked a private television station before clashing with police Monday evening, leaving at least one person dead and over half a dozen injured. The rioting drew widespread condemnation from all political parties and prompted action by the paramilitary Rangers.
At least nine MQM leaders, including Dr Farooq Sattar, were detained while the party’s headquarters, Nine Zero, were also searched and subsequently sealed.
The violence erupted soon after MQM the chief gave a telephonic address to his supporters in which he castigated the media for not giving due coverage of his workers and allegedly raised anti-Pakistan slogans.
Read more: Altaf goes beserk