Karachi- The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Haider Abbas Rizvi today demanded the government to issue National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and passport to its chief Altaf Hussain.
Speaking to journalists Rizvi said Altaf Hussain is a true Pakistani and added that MQM chief heart beats with his Pakistani brothers and sisters. He asked if Altaf Hussain was not a Pakistani then who was a Pakistani in this country.
Razvi said statement of additional Secretary Interior was shameful, adding that foreign office spokesperson and Pakistani High commissioner in London had verified receiving of Altaf Hussain’s request and documents on April 4, 2014. He said five weeks had passed when Altaf Hussain submitted documents for National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and passport but no development was made so far.
He said Altaf Hussain has fulfilled all legal procedures in this regard as NADRA officials have also taken his finger expression of MQM chief in London. Rizvi asked the government to explain why Altaf Hussain was not being given National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and passport.
MQM leader condemned the National Database and Registration Authority for using delay tactics in the issuance of NICOP to Altaf Hussain. He said the party and its workers would stage a countrywide protest if the NICOP was not issued to the MQM chief. He termed the denial of card to Hussain by the authorities as “unconstitutional and unjustified in light of the fundamental rights guaranteed.”
Earlier, Senator Tahir Mashhadi of MQM also warned of closing down Karachi for a year if the government failed to issue passport and identity card to Altaf Hussain.