Ali Sahi
How is writing a letter to the High Commissioner of India against Pakistan’s intelligence agencies not high treason? Add to that, calling Pakistan an “incurable ulcer,” hurling Pakistan Murdabad slogans and asking one’s party to destroy Pakistan. It is hard to imagine an act more accurately fitting the definition of treason.
Moreover, complaining about the institutions that are serving to eliminate terrorism within Sindh reflects upon the plans of the MQM’s spearhead who wants to get rid of inconveniences for the criminal scums working under him, spreading the very terror Rangers were called in to take care of. The security apparatus, therefore, will enjoy his ‘unconditional’ support only if they give him and his miscreants a ‘safe passage’. It is interesting and ironic to note here that Mr Hussain, back in 2013, had invited the military to initiate an operation to work against criminals, and had promised his full support for that operation.
It comes as no surprise that electronic, print and social media are holding the MQM leader’s actions under a magnifying glass, discussing what the future holds for Mr Hussain. Article 17 of the Constitution explicitly states that any political party responsible for working against the state’s interests can be banned. Also, section 124A of the Pakistan Penal Code has clearly outlined the seditious acts. After reading the section and analysing Mr Hussain’s diatribe and consequent acts, it is not hard to comprehend that the legal proceedings can and should be initiated against him. Similarly, the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Ordinance, which stipulates the law of preventive detention vis-à-vis maintenance of public order/safety/interest, is also of relevance and can be used to strengthen a criminal case against Altaf Hussain.
This is not the first sight of Mr Hussain’s chameleon-like properties wherein he apologised the next day. The blatantly obvious pattern stares back at those who wish to see it. This is also not the first time he has crafted words against Pakistan, and like a desolate opera singer, he has merely exercised his vocal ranges and jacked up the pitch. Similarly, in this vein, this is not the first time he has spewed venom on media, judiciary and army. This certainly is not the first time that MQM workers have attacked a TV studio or terrorised the institution of journalism. They act as per the dictate of their supreme leader’s will. But let’s be fair here; no matter how many times these offences have been repeated, Mr Hussain has apologised. Hasn’t he?
The past governments have been repeatedly guilty of ignoring serious threats to Pakistan’s security and not taking a strong enough action at the right time. Let’s hope that the current regime will wake up to the task and realise that in the case of this ‘enemy of the state’, it might already be too late.
Concluded
