This Is How Pakistanis Are Reacting To Altaf Hussain’s Arrest In London

Altaf Hussain has been charged with a terrorism offense for his 2016 speech inciting violence.

2016 speech

Altaf Hussain in his speech called Pakistan, “a cancer for the entire world”.

“Pakistan is the center of terrorism for the entire world. Who says long live Pakistan…it’s down with Pakistan.”

-Altaf Hussain

He also directed his party workers to lock down the Sindh secretariat.

If you recall, MQM’s women wing workers at that time had chanted, “Bhai ka ho ik ishara, hazir hazir lahu hamara” (We can shed our blood on the slightest order of Altaf Bhai).

2019 arrest

The MQM founder was taken into police custody on 10 October. He appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty.

“On 22 August 2016, a speech to crowds gathered in Karachi, Pakistan which were likely to be understood by some or all of the members of the public to whom they were published as a direct or indirect encouragement to them to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and at the time he published them, intended them to be so encouraged, or was reckless as to whether they would be so encouraged.”

The charge on Altaf Hussain

He was granted conditional bail on the same day. The terms of the bail include not making any political speeches, embargo to apply for a travel document and for his passport to remain in police custody.

The next hearing of the case will at the Central Criminal Court on November 1.

Pakistanis rejoiced at the news of Altaf Hussain’s arrest even though it was short-lived

Pakistanis expressed relief that Karachi was not shut down and there was no incident of violence resulting from the arrest of Altaf Hussain.

Read: This Is What We Know So Far About The Azadi March Of Maulana Fazlur Rehman

Some people also questioned as to why it took three years to charge Altaf Hussain on a speech that clearly incited violence?

What do you have to say about Altaf Hussain’s arrest? Let us know in the comments below.