ISLAMABAD: A political adviser to the PPP, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, served on Monday a legal notice on Jamaat-i-Islami chief Munawar Hassan, asking the latter to withdraw the statement in which he had declared TTP head Hakeemullah Mehsud as martyr.

Chaudhry Fawad has also decided to file in the Supreme Court a plea seeking suo motu action against the JI chief.

The legal notice was served on a day when the JI stood by the remarks made by its chief and decided that he would not tender an apology as demanded by the military.

“The stand taken by Jamaat-i-Islami confirms that it was not Munawar Hassan’s own remarks but a party statement and, therefore, I will also file a petition in the Election Commission of Pakistan under the Representation of People’s Act (1976) to seek cancellation of JI’s registration,” Chaudhry Fawad told Dawn.

He said he had served the legal notice in his individual capacity, but PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also asked him to file a plea in the apex court against the controversial remarks made by the JI leader.

The notice served on Mr Hassan said: “It is to be read as a legal notice issued in context and reference to your statement or response or reply, given or issued or responded or rendered during a press conference aired or telecasted or broadcasted or published or reported by all news channels and newspapers of Pakistan on the 3rd and 4th of November 2013.

“That it is also to be read as a legal notice issued in context and reference to your statement or response or reply, given or issued or responded or rendered, repeatedly on the 9th of November 2013 during a talk show.

“Munawar Hassan called/pronounced and declared a known terrorist, mass murderer, proclaimed offender and chief of banned TTP Hakeemullah Mehsud (now dead) a martyr. Whereas you denounced, mocked, insulted and denigrated the sacrifices of our great Shuhada of the armed forces, civil armed forces and thousands of innocent citizens of Pakistan.

“Munawar Hassan completely discounted the bloodshed of innocent Pakistani citizens, including women and children, and issued loathsome, preposterous and illegal statements with aim and object to ridicule and scorn the sacrifices of our great martyrs who lost their lives to save the lives of millions of Pakistani citizens in the monstrous and ruthless terrorist attacks carried out by the banned outfits, including TTP and its allies.

“The JI chief’s statement has caused immense pain, agony and suffering among the families of martyrs as well as in society at large.

“You are expected to withdraw your statements and tender unconditional apology to the nation, especially to the families of Shuhada and all other victims of the gruesome terrorist attacks, forthwith.”