'N' asks Altaf to come back, face cases

LAHORE - PML-N senior leader and spokesman Sadiqul Farooq has said that MQM Chief Altaf Hussains tirade is nothing but to avert trial regarding May 12 mayhem.
Addressing a Press conference here on Monday, he said Altaf Hussain should return to the country and face the cases against him to prove his innocence. He said Altaf Hussain would never succeed in distracting the attention of the people by making hue and cry. According to him, investigation into 12 May tragedy, trial of Musharraf and scraping of 17th amendment is the voice of nation and basic demand of PML-N. Making clamour by Altaf Hussain would never help dumping of all the issues, he maintained. He said when operation was initiated against MQM, it was part of Sindh government. This showed that MQM leadership knew everything about the operation, he added.
He said PML-N acknowledged the political importance of MQM and urged Altaf Hussain to come back forthwith. He said if Altaf Hussain felt that his life was in danger in Karachi, PML-N government would welcome him in Punjab and would provide bulletproof car to him for his security. He said PML-N gave great regard to the mandate of MQM but it would never welcome politics based on linguistics and ethnic values. He said, We respect Muhajars (immigrants) but do not accept MQM formed on linguistic basis.
He asked Altaf Hussain as to why MQM joined the cabinet during PML-N government in 1997 if PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, what MQM leadership said, was responsible for 1992 operation against MQM. In the same way, if operation launched during PPP government against MQM in 1994 was illegal, why MQM was ally of PPP-led government in the Centre, he added.
He demanded of the federal government to constitute a high-powered commission headed by apex court judge to investigate into 1992 and 1995 operations, May 12 massacre, murders of a number of MQM leaders including MQM Chairman Azeem Tariq, incidents of terrorist activities in April 2007. He said the commission should be empowered to summon Altaf Hussain, Afaq Ahmed, General (r) Naseer Ullah Babar, General (r) Naseer Akthar and Brig (r) Imtiaz. He said PML-N leadership would appear before the commission, if called at any time.