KARACHI - Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that the government is sending a formal reference against MQM leader Altaf Hussain to the UK government over his hate speeches and inciting party workers to violence.

Talking to mediamen at Governor House here yesterday, Ch Nisar said the government would not tolerate anti-state acts and strict action will be taken against the elements uttering hateful words about the state and its institutions.

“Urdu-speaking people are the most patriotic people of Pakistan and they should not be forced to bear the brunt of the mistake of an individual,” the interior minister said.

Nisar said he visited Karachi at the behest of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, after attacks on the media houses in Karachi.

Talking about MQM chief’s speech, he said the country gave respect to the MQM chief but Altaf Hussain spat poison against Pakistan. “I wonder why Altaf resorted to uttering such derogatory words (about Pakistan).”

“Urdu-speaking people are the most patriotic of all. No Urdu-speaking person will ever support such statement as was made by Altaf Hussain (the other day) as their past and future are associated with Pakistan only,” said Nisar.

The interior minister said that federal government had directed security forces (police and Rangers) not to harass citizens at all, as some elements were already trying to give an impression that there was a conflict between Pakistani state and Urdu-speaking people.

“It is a good sign that people of Karachi have already dispelled this impression by not allowing certain element to hold the city hostage, for the first time in 25 years,” he added.

Ch Nisar said one-day strike in Karachi causes Rs5 billion loss to the exchequer apart from causing unbearable loss to daily wagers and labour class.

He added that all four chief ministers (of provinces) shall be summoned to Islamabad in a few days to have a meeting to discuss the security situation.

To a question about the action against the MQM chief, he said federal government had asked British government to take action against Altaf. Government will share the evidence with British government and pictorial proof of Monday’s violence will also be sent to them. “We hope the UK government will take corresponding action in this regard.”

Earlier, Ch Nisar reached Karachi to chair a meeting on law and order situation of the city. He separately held meetings with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan in which both the leaders exchanged their views and it was decided that strict action would be taken against those who spoke against the country.

Nisar said the peace of Karachi will be maintained at any cost and no one will be allowed to harm Pakistan’s integrity.

Governor Ebad vowed to take strict action against anti-peace elements. He said security forces had sacrificed to restore peace of the city and they will not go in vain.

Later, the federal minster held a meeting with chief minister at CM House in which CM Murad Ali Shah, Governor Ebad, Rangers DG Major General Bilal Akbar, Additional IGP, CM’s Law Adviser Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon and some other senior officers deliberated over the situation in the city.

During the meeting, provincial and federal governments reiterated that nobody, at any cost would be allowed to ignite fire of hatred and spread terrorism in any form in the city.

It was observed that under a pre-planned move an attempt was made to hijack the peace of the city but timely action of chief minister and Rangers DG thwarted it.

The CM said FIR of Monday’s violent episode had been registered and all persons involved in it had either been identified or were in the process of identification.

Nisar said Pakistan government had strong proofs of foreign funding to MQM in last few years. He said he had directed the authorities not to harass the citizens of Karachi without any reason.