LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday sought reply within two weeks from MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Secretary Interior, Secretary Foreign Affairs and others on a petition seeking removal of Hussain from the MQM leadership and action against him after his repatriation to Pakistan for alleged remarks against the ideology of Pakistan.

Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan passed the orders on a petition filed by Advocate Fayyaz Ahmed Mehr.

Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel submitted before the court that Altaf Hussain is a foreign national and claims to be the chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM.)

He said, on May 12, he addressed his party workers and allegedly threatened the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the establishment, media and workers of political parties and politicians and also demanded to separate Karachi from Pakistan.

The counsel said Hussain’s demand was against the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and also against the ideology of Pakistan. “It is a conspiracy and a move to destabilise and create unrest in the country just to achieve his nefarious goals,” he added.

He said according to the Political Parties Order 2002, only the citizens of Pakistan can form, organise, continue or set up a political party. But, he added, Altaf Hussain is not a citizen of Pakistan and cannot claim to be the chief of a political party.

The petitioner’s counsel prayed the court that Hussain should be refrained from claiming himself to be the chief of MQM and also Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) be directed to stop all media outlets from giving coverage to his speeches.

The petitioner prayed the court to issue directions for bringing back Altaf Hussain and to deal with him in accordance with the law.

The court after hearing the arguments issued notice to the respondents and sought reply within two weeks.