I am sorry, Altaf tells Shireen Mazari

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday apologized to Shireen Mazari for statements he had earlier made about the senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader.

"Shireen Mazari, I apologize to you. I am sorry," said Altaf Hussain in an apology to Mazari during a live television interview.

"I also seek forgiveness from all decent women present in PTI rallies," he said.

The MQM chief was earlier criticized for making what PTI leaders described as derogatory statements against the PTI senior leader.

Rabita Committee should also apologize: Mazari

Responding to Hussain's apology, Mazari said the MQM's Rabita Committee should also apologize for its statements.

Mazari said the PTI welcomes the apology by the MQM chief.

Islam also teaches us to forgive those who apologize, she said.

Speaking to Geo News, PTI leader Imran Ismail said there was no personal war between the MQM and PTI.

"Its a good thing that he [Altaf] has apologized. But what will become of the statements made by the Rabita Committee today?" he said.

Ismail urged the Rabita Committee to also apologize for its statements.

Altaf Hussain's apology follows a war of words that started between the two parties after the recent release of a Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) report implicating an MQM worker in the Baldia Town factory blaze – the worst incident of fire in Pakistan’s history in which more than 250 people lost their lives.

The MQM termed the report “baseless, fictitious and biased”.

Following the release of the JIT report, PTI chairman Imran Khan had held a press conference in Islamabad where he made several references to Altaf Hussain using harsh words and derogatory language.

Khan continued his outburst against the MQM chief earlier today, also accusing the party of murdering slain PTI worker Zahra Shahid.

The MQM responded sharply, with the Rabita Committee taking the PTI chairman to task over his remarks against the MQM chief.

The temperature continued to rise earlier on Tuesday as the MQM held a rally in Karachi to express solidarity with party chief Altaf Hussain and as protest of statements made against him by Imran Khan.