MQM chief apologises over anti-Pakistan remarks

LONDON (News Desk) - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has issued an unconditional apology to the Army Chief and DG Rangers for his anti-Pakistan remarks, said the MQM spokesman on Tuesday.

In a statement, MQM leader Wasay Jalil said the MQM chief was under mental stress over the forced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of his party workers and that he uttered the words in anger.

Jalil further added that Altaf Hussain deeply regretted his remarks and begged pardon from the establishment, including Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and DG Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar.

"The MQM chief also urged authorities to end crackdown against his party and not cut it off mainstream politics," the MQM spokesman said, adding "Altaf Hussain has assured the Pakistani people, establishment, army, ISI, all higher authorities and leaders that he will never use such words again."

Meanwhile, Sindh rangers and Police sealed over fifty offices of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi and around a dozen key leaders, including Farooq Sattar and Amir Khan, were also arrested.

Earlier on Monday, hundreds of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) attacked the offices of different TV channels in Karachi, after MQM chief Altaf Hussain asked them to protest against the censorship of his speeches in the media. One person was killed and several others were left seriously injured, as a result.

It is also pertinent to be mentioned here that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and other authorities to ensure that no statement or video of Altaf Hussain was aired on television or published in newspapers.