KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday issued an arrest warrant of founder Muttahida Qaumi Movement in cases pertaining to the controversial speech delivered by him on July 5, 2016.
Moreover, the ATC accepted MQM-Pakistan leader Dr Farooq Sattar’s request seeking exemption from appearance in court on Saturday owing to medical reasons.
MQM leaders Qamar Mansoor, Shahid Pasha, Amjadullah, and few other party leaders have been charged for listening to, organising and facilitating a hate speech by the then-MQM leader.
The case was later adjourned until January 6
According to reports, Scotland Yard had earlier confirmed that an ‘International Letter of Request’ had been sent by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to the Pakistani authorities, requesting assistance in probing at least two hate speeches delivered by MQM founder on March 11, 2015 and August 22, 2016.
Violence had erupted in Karachi after MQM’s Altaf Hussain, who has been living in Edgware for over 20 years had addressed supporters in the city via a telephone call on August 22, 2016.
Authorities in Pakistan had claimed Hussain described the country as a “cancer” and incited his followers to attack two media stations that he accused of bias.
On the other hand, an MQM spokesman claimed that the violence flared after the party’s supporters were fired on by police where one person was killed.