Petition in Pak SC seeks trial of MQM chief for high treason

Islamabad, Aug 31(ANI): A petition has been filed in the Pakistan Supreme Court seeking the trial of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on charges of high treason under Article 6 of the constitution.

Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP) Chairman Jameel Ahmed Malik had filed the petition on Monday.

In his petition, Malik stated that on August 22, Altaf had urged 'patriotic generals' to initiate martial law-like steps against corrupt politicians and feudal lords.

He said that in the history of Pakistan, four generals had subverted the constitution and ruled for 36 years, but none of these 'patriotic generals' could or had abolished corruption and the feudal system in the country, The Daily Times reports.

Malik claimed that it is only the Socialist Revolution, which would abolish corruption and the feudal system.

He further said that in the opinion of Altaf and the MQM, one who abrogates and subverts the constitution is a "patriotic general", but in the eyes and opinion of the CPP, any general who abrogates and subverts the constitution is a "traitor general" and that the general should be tried under Article 6 of the constitution.

The CPP Chairman urged the Supreme Court to take notice of Altaf's public statement as an act to sabotage the spirit of the constitution.

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.

Earlier, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani termed Hussain's demands as "incomprehensible". (ANI)