ISLAMABAD - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has requested Chief Justice of Pakistan to play his role in alleged fake cases registered against its senior party leaders. “Over two dozen cases of serious nature are registered against MQM leaders in one day, which is mere a joke with the judicial system,” MQM nominated mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar told The Nation on Saturday.

Akhtar termed the cases against his senior party leaders ‘political victimisation’ of MQM. “Those who are distributing certificates of treason should keep in mind that their mala fide will bear no fruit,” said MQM leader, who is currently facing a number of cases. Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) a few weeks before had issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of 25 senior leaders of the MQM, including party chief Altaf Hussain, in around ten cases for delivering and listening to a speech criticising the military establishment.

About cases against MQM, senior party member also questioned over judicial system for registering ‘fake’ FIR against MQM on almost weekly basis. “It is very strange as FIRs are registered against MQM very easily on just one application,” he added. About Punjab, he said, the government has failed to control law and order situation in the province. “Why finger is not raised at these matters...From which planet people came and register cases against MQM is still a mystery,” he said adding it was just waste of time of courts as millions of genuine cases need to be disposed of.

When asked about MQM’s grievances against federal government, Akhtar said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should also seriously address their genuine matters. “I don’t think MQM’s grievances are on priority list of the Prime Minister,” he cautiously remarked. MQM leader was also much disturbed over federal government’s behaviour for not making functional the Grievances Redressal Committee (GRC) even after passing over two months. “I am surprised over government’s behaviour as we (MQM leaders) are tired enough to remind Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on this issue,” says MQM former lawmaker.

He said that MQM would raise this matter in parliament, as still proposed body has not started its work. “I don’t know how this committee will submit its report in 90 days as still it has not started its work,” said MQM leader.  The GRC was formed on the demand of MQM, and it also caused MQM’s return in parliament. The MQM had remained lenient with the government as after the formation of GRC it stopped raising objections on different matters for some period. The notification of GRC says, “GRC will hold its first session within 15 days of its constitution and complete its work on the complaints within 90 days.”

The federal government had issued this notification on October 16 to form a five-member GRC that was given the mandate to register and resolve the concerns raised by MQM. The MQM had also signed an MoU with government on formation of GRC to look into their complaints and furnish its report to the federal government. The committee comprised Justice(Retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, Justice(Retd) Khalilur Rehman and Justice(Retd) Ajmal Mian all former judges of Supreme Court of Pakistan and interior secretary and an ex-officio member of the committee who would act as secretary to the body.

When contacted, MQM’s leader Ali Abidi said government has yet not made functional Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) after passing nearly two months. “Why the government has not yet proposed the body’s fourth member,” he questioned. Sources said that MQM has also decided to actively follow combined opposition’s activities in parliament. “As even the government’s attitude has compelled MQM to become part of combined opposition,” they said. MQM in last National Assembly session had also supported PPP and PTI in different matters.