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Wednesday, July 24, 2013


MQM files Rs 5bn defamation suit against PTI

* Imran Khan’s party also sues MQM in a tit for tat move

KARACHI: The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) on Tuesday filed a defamation suit worth Rs 5 billion against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. MQM leaders Farooq Sattar and Senator Farogh Naseem filed the suit in the Sindh High Court against accusations made by PTI chief Imran Khan who has sought implication of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in the murder of Zahra Shahid Hussain.
Imran had held Altaf Hussain responsible for Zahra’s murder and accused him of inciting violence through his public broadcasts.
MQM is the petitioner while Imran Khan and his party PTI were made party in the case.
Farooq Sattar, speaking to the media after filing the suit, said that the MQM had sent a legal notice to Imran following his accusations but it did not receive any response. He said his party has now filed a petition in the court and demanded Rs 5 billion as compensation money.
Farooq Sattar said the petition has been filed after meeting all legal requirements.
He said Imran Khan had held Altaf Hussain responsible for the murder of Zahra after just one hour of the killing.
The MQM leader said Imran Khan and his party had hurt sentiments of MQM supporters, by hurling baseless allegations against the MQM and its leadership.
“Imran showed political immaturity by accusing MQM of murdering Zahra Shahid,” he said, adding that the PTI was using Zahra’s murder for political gains.
He said that a politically motivated campaign had been launched on social media against the MQM and its chief following the murder of Zahra.
Farooq Sattar said Imran wanted to disturb peace in Sindh by provoking its people.
He also criticised the PTI for what he said was its failure in maintaining peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and fulfilling its promises which it had made during the election campaign.
The MQM leader said that neither Imran nor did any other PTI leader condemn the killing of their own party workers at the hands of militants.
Responding to the MQM’s move, the PTI said it would also file a defamation suit worth Rs 10 billion against the MQM.
According to PTI Information Secretary Shireen Mazari, MQM leaders are continuously defaming her party leader Imran Khan and, therefore, the PTI has decided to file a defamation suit worth Rs 10 billion against the MQM.
She said lawyers have been consulted in this regard while final decision would be made after Imran Khan’s return to Pakistan on July 25.
She reiterated that the MQM was responsible for the poor security situation in Karachi, and added “a Britain citizen has been influencing the law and order situation of the largest city and financial hub” of Pakistan.
She said that her party did not believe in blame game but the MQM’s move had forced it to take this step. online

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

 

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