HRCP slams MQM chief Altaf Hussain for demanding martial law in Pak

LAHORE - The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has criticised Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s call for martial law in the country, describing the leader’s remarks as “inappropriate and mischievous.”

A statement issued by the HRCP slammed Hussain for urging the military to enforce martial law against “corrupt politicians” to weed out the menace of corruption from the country.

“It is a poor reflection on the nation’s adherence to democratic norms when one of the main political parties starts pleading, not with parliament or with the people, but with ‘patriotic army generals’ to act against politicians,” The Daily Times quoted the HRCP, as saying.

In his telephonic address from London to the MQM’s General Workers’ Convention in Azizabad, Hussain had urged “patriotic generals to initiate martial law-like steps against feudal politicians and former generals who disgraced the army institution during the Soviet-Afghan war”.

“The MQM is ready to take any risk for steps taken against political stalwarts for eradicating corruption and benefiting the country. To nip the major evils of society, it is sometimes acceptable to support the minor ones,” he had said.

He further demanded the initiation of cases of mass murder against ‘influentials and landlords’ saying that they were blocking the country’s development.

Hussain’s statement has created a furore in Pakistan politics with both the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the main opposition party- the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) criticizing the MQM, which is also a part of the coalition government.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani termed Hussain’s demands as “incomprehensible”.

Talking to media persons during his visit to the flood-affected areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Gilani said Hussain’s remarks were beyond understanding.

“We don’t want to indulge in any sort of confrontational politics,” he said, while PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif also denounced Hussain for making such a statement, saying martial law has always brought destruction to the country.

“This genre of government dismembered Pakistan in 1971,” Sharif said. (ANI)