ISLAMABAD: Altaf Hussain may be banned as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, it has been learnt.
Informed government sources confided to The News here on Friday that one of the different options being considered by the government against Altaf Hussain following his recent controversial statement is to get him removed as the MQM chief by invoking the relevant provisions of The Political Parties Order 2002.
A key PM Office source stated that two leading federal ministries — defence and interior — are examining the issue with different legal aspects and possible implications. It is said that in case of a decision, the interior ministry would be asked to proceed against the MQM chief.
The source said that Altaf Hussain could be banned from leading the MQM in view of his disqualification to be a member of parliament.
It is said that one of the options being considered is to get the proviso of the Section 5(1) of The Political Parties Order 2002 invoked. The said law, it is said, bars any person to become the office bearer of any political party if he is disqualified or is not eligible to become a member of parliament as per the conditions set by the Article 63 of the Constitution.
The relevant part of the Political Parties Order 2002 reads as: “5. Membership of Political Parties- (1) Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan,shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party or be otherwise associated with a political party or take part in political activities or be elected as an officer-bearer of a political party: Provided that a person shall not be appointed or serve as an office-bearer of a political party if he is not qualified to be, or is disqualified from being, elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) under Article 63 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan or under any other law for the time being in force.”
It is said that Altaf Hussain, who has the British nationality, does not meet the condition of Article 63(c) of the Constitution, which reads as: “A person shall be disqualified from being elected or chosen as, and from being a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), if- (c) he ceases to be citizen of Pakistan, or acquires the citizenship of a foreign state.”
Presently, Altaf Hussain only possesses the British passport. During the recent few years, a number of MPs were disqualified by the apex court as well as the Election Commission of Pakistan for being dual nationals.
Those suggesting the implementation of the already enforced law — The Political Parties Order 2002 — say that firstly this law has to be enforced on others too which would make former president and dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf also vulnerable.
It is said that Musharraf is not eligible to be the head of the All Pakistan Muslim League after he has been disqualified to take part in the 2013 general elections by no less than the judiciary and the Returning Officers.
The sources said that it is primarily the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan to enforce the law and get those banned who do not meet the conditions of The Political Parties Order 2002. If the government finally decides to adopt this option, a reference may be moved to the Election Commission of Pakistan to get all those including Altaf Hussain banned from leading any of the political parties registered with the commission.
Former caretaker law minister Ahmer Bilal Sufi is assisting the defence j authorities in the case.
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