MQM chief apologises to army chief for anti-Pakistan remarks

“From the depth of heart, I beg pardon from the Pakistani establishment,” he said. “I was under severe mental stress over extra-judicial arrests and precarious condition of my workers sitting at hunger striking camp,” Altaf Hussain said in a statement.

He urged those at the helm of affairs to quash cases against the MQM and not sideline his party from the mainstream politics.

The MQM chief said Pakistan came into existence following immense sacrifices of elders and added: “how could I spoke against about the country.”

Pls read and share important statement of F&L #AltafHussain #MQM #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/bKOvW5lAde

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He stated that MQM was not anti-Pakistan, but some elements had developed differences between his party and the army. He also tendered apology to media persons for what they suffered during the incident on Monday.

The MQM supremo appealed law enforcers to release detained party workers and allow them to undertake political activities.

Reuters adds: Supporters and activists of MQM rushed to the office of ARY News on Monday shortly after their leader had in a telephone address sharply criticised the Pakistani media for failing to report on his workers’ recent hunger strikes.

Crowds of MQM workers then attacked the television office, firing shots and smashing the premises. They later clashed with police outside, leaving one person dead and several wounded.

“We have sealed the MQM headquarters, their media office and (their) hostel, some weapons have also been recovered,” Khurram Shahzad, the sector commander for the regional paramilitary Rangers force told reporters on Tuesday.