SHC hears petition to ban MQM

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court heard a petition calling to ban the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Thursday.

The law ministry in its reply submitted to the court said that banning a political party is the interior ministry’s duty.

None of the MQM senators and parliamentarians including Dr Farooq Sattar submited their reply in the court.

The petitioners said that on August 22 when the party founder made his anti-state speech the MQM leaders were facilitating him.

The petitioner added that MQM wanted to break Pakistan. "Farooq Sattar has taken up the party leadership to avoid legal action. All of the leaders have vowed allegiance to the founder for life."

The judge remarked that a party cannot be banned based on an individual act by its founder. “Do you mean to say that MQM Pakistan leaders are lying when they say they have distanced himself from their founder?” the judge said.

He sent notices to the MQM leaders asking them to submit their replies in the court.