Police want formation JIT to interrogate Sattar, Amir Khan in hate speech case

Naimat Khan

KARACHI: An investigation officer on Saturday submitted before the anti-terrorism court (ATC) that request has been sent to Sindh Home Department to interrogate chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Dr Farooq Sattar, and central leader Amir Khan by Joint Interrogation Team in the 22 August hate speech case.

The officer submitted that police have already sent a letter to provincial home department, requesting to form JIT for the case.

The challan said MQM leader Amir Khan in support of MQM founder’s speech said that “after whatever has been happening [with the MQM] he no longer feels like making pro-Pakistan slogans”.

MQM leader Farooq Sattar clapped in support of Khan’s speech, the challan stated.

The suspects led weight to the incendiary speech of MQM founder, and violence against media houses could have been avoided if the two had not supported it. Their claims of not being aware of the administrative aspects of delivering the speech by the founder is a lie, the challan stated.

Earlier today, an anti-terrorism court once again issued non-bailable arrest warrants for MQM founder and other absconders, including the recently expelled Salman Baloch.

The court also directed authorities to arrest the absconders and present them before the court on November 25.

Courts have issued arrest warrants for the founder and declared him an absconder on various occasions. An ATC in Islamabad on September 6 found him an absconder and issued permanent arrest warrants.

The cases against MQM leaders were registered after the violent incidents of August 22 last year during and after a telephonic speech by the party’s founder.

MQM workers were staging a hunger strike outside Karachi Press Club when the founder addressed them, made anti-state remarks and urged party workers to attack media over what he claimed was less coverage to him.

Talking to media after the hearing Farooq Sattar said that he and his party have distanced themselves from Altaf Hussain. To a query regarding the arrest of Hammad Siddiqui Farooq Sattar said that the terrorist wanted in Baldia factor fire case should be treated according to the law.