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Pakistan registers terrorism case against political leader over threats

Xinhua, March 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistani security forces on Tuesday registered a case against the chief of a powerful political group over threats, officials said.

Paramilitary forces said that Altaf Hussain, who heads the Mutahida Qaumi Movement, had used threatening language against the security forces in a telephonic interview with a private TV channel last week.

Hussain, who lives in exile in London, made the remarks days after the paramilitary troops raided the MQM's headquarters in Karachi, arrested some suspects and recovered arms.

The paramilitary force, Rangers reported to the police that Altaf Hussain "threatened members of the paramilitary force" who were involved in the operation. Two convicted men were also recovered during the raid, the Rangers said earlier. The case was registered by the Rangers spokesman, Col Tahor.

Legal expert Zahid Bukhari said the charges under anti- terrorism act framed against the MQM leader carries life term, even harsh punishment.

Khalid Maqboo Siddiqi, a senior MQM leader, said cases are not new for the party leaders as he had been also charged in the past.

Altaf Hussain had condemned the Rangers' raid on the party's headquarters and claimed that personnel of the paramilitary force brought the weapons and ammunition "wrapped in blankets" with them and then claimed the recovery to frame the party.

The police has formed a committee for investigation against Altaf Hussain. Endi