London
Britain’s Home Office has said that the Metropolitan Police is evaluating the contents of Altaf Hussain’s 22nd August speech, in which Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder allegedly encouraged violence by ordering his supporters to attack media houses.
Pakistan sent a record of Altaf Hussain’s speeches to the Scotland Yard two weeks ago which is now receiving attention.
Answering questions asked by Barrister Amjad Malik, who heads the UK Association of Pakistani Lawyers, home office said that the Metropolitan Police had already confirmed that they were assessing “a speech given by an individual associated with the MQM to ascertain if any crimes have been committed under appropriate UK legislation”.
The Home Office said “All speakers must stay within the law, including on matters concerning the glorification of terrorism and incitement of racial and religious hatred. Where individuals breach these laws, the police will take action using comprehensive powers available to them.”
The Home Office in a statement said that “the actual attacks in Karachi are being investigated by the Karachi authorities”.
Barrister Amjad Malik had written to British Prime Minister Theresa May, a day after Altaf Hussain’s speech to act against it under the following laws: The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006, Crime and Disorder Act 1998, under section 59 of the Terrorism Act 2008, Public Order Act 1998, Terrorism Act 2000, Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Offences against Persons Act.
“It was an ugly and unpleasant, condemnable display of hostility incited by the MQM leader, Altaf Hussain, who has done similar acts before in the last 3 years. Various legal statutory instruments make such behaviour unlawful including Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 and Race and Religious Hatred Act along with Terrorism Act 2000 makes it an offence to send a message by means of a public electronic communications network which is grossly offensive, or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.”
“We are, in consultation with the CPS, assessing the contents of a speech given by an individual associated with MQM in August 2016 to ascertain if any crimes have been committed under appropriate UK legislation. The investigation into other speeches previously broadcast in Pakistan by this individual is ongoing,” Scotland Yard was quoted by a private news channel.
Separately, a meeting was held on Wednesday at the Southwark police station between solicitor Mahtab Aziz, Tariq Mahmood, and Habib Jan over several complaints registered against Altaf Hussain after his August 22nd speech. Mahtab Aziz told private news channel that they had met two senior police officers from SO15 – the counter terrorism unit – who guaranteed that all the evidence will be forwarded to the crown prosecution service for a verdict.
