LAHORE – The PML-N has taken serious exception to the remarks uttered by MQM chief Altaf Hussain about Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during his telephonic address on Thursday.
PML-N spokesman Dr Asif Kirmani termed incorrect Altaf Hussain’s remarks that Quaid-e-Azam had expressed allegiance to British Crown while taking oath as Governor General.
“Altaf Hussain’s statement may have shocked his elders if they heard it in their life time. People will remain indebted to Quaid-e-Azam till the day of judgment for his struggle and achievement of a separate homeland,” he added.
The spokesman asked Altaf Hussain to take back his words and extend apology to the nation for his utterance against the founding father.
PML-N Senator Pervez Rashid said Altaf Hussain stated out of context against Quaid-e-Azam as he went to Britain to acquire education when Pakistan had yet to come into being. He said these injured feelings of millions of Pakistanis.
Commenting on the issue, JI Central General Secretary Liaqat Baloch said the speech contained what he usually uttered against Islam. He said this time round what he said exposed his frustration and another blackmailing tactics after he foresees a bleak future of his party in the next elections.
“Altaf wants to put pressure on the institutions so that he could get a free hand in Karachi in the next election. But the people have seen through his intentions and will not vote for the MQM,” he said adding, the kind of words Altaf Hussain used in the address against Quaid-e-Azam was not expected of a person who called himself a national leader. Meanwhile, PTI chairman Imran Khan said Altaf distorted the history.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, PTI chief remarked that Altaf Hussain made effort during his public meeting to equate himself with a great leader, Quaid-i-Azam by uttering false claims.
Khan advised the MQM chief not to drag the great Quaid-i-Azam into tawdry political debate in the country. He said at the very least Altaf should not distort history to equate his situation with that of the Quaid.
The PTI chairman said it was compulsion for a parliamentarian to be the citizen of Pakistan according to the constitution.