Forgiving is easy but forgetting is hard

• Sharif tells MQM chief to think twice before making statements against national security institutions
• Says govt responsible for upholding armed forces’ honour and dignity, cautions media against violating constitution
• Political parties announce to move resolutions in assemblies against Altaf Hussain’s anti-army statements

A day after Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain tendered an apology for making defamatory statements against the armed forces, political parties in parliament announced on Saturday that they would bring condemnatory resolutions in parliament and provincial assemblies against the MQM chief. The announcement coincided with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s caution to Altaf Hussain to keep in mind the integrity of national institutions and “think twice before making statements related to national security and interests”.

“MQM chief Altaf Husain’s apology is a good gesture but issues related to national security and national interest are very sensitive. One should think twice before making statements on such issues,” Prime Sharif said in a statement.

Sharif said the MQM chief had hurt the sentiments of millions with his anti-army remarks. “It is the government’s responsibility to uphold and guard the integrity of the armed forces, and defence and security institutions,” he said. The premier also asked the media to act responsibly and in line with the constitution.

The federal government on Friday advised the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to clamp down on broadcast of hate speeches of political leaders live.

According to a statement issued by PEMRA, the government expressed concerns over the live telecast of the hate speech of political leaders by majority of the electronic channels and urged the regulatory body to invoke Section 27 of the PEMRA Amendment Act 2007. Acting on the government’s advice, PEMRA issued show cause notices to 14 television channels.

Having faced strong criticism over his comments regarding the army, Hussain apologised for “hurting the sentiments of national security institutions and patriotic people”.

Earlier, the Pakistan Army had censured Hussain for castigating the military leadership and called his remarks ‘uncalled for and disgusting’.

The chief military spokesperson, Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, used his Twitter account not only to rebut the allegations but also announced legal action against Altaf Hussain, who in a late Thursday night address to his supporters had made references to the surrender of Pakistani troops after the fall of Dhaka in 1971.

RESOLUTIONS AGAINST ALTAF:

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seems in no mood to let go off the incident as it announced to put forward resolutions in National and provincial assemblies against Altaf Hussain’s statements. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PML-Quaid will also move to put forward resolutions against Muttahida Qaumi Movement s chief in Senate.

After the decision in Balochistan Assembly to pass a resolution against Altaf Hussain’s statements, Punjab and Sindh Assembly have decided to follow suit.

Opposition Leader in Punjab assembly Mehmoodur Rasheed will move the resolution on Monday in this regard, it is learnt.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has also said that he would move for passing a resolution on the same issue after consulting with coalition parties. The PML-N has also announced to bring a resolution in KP and Sindh assemblies.