Britain allows consular access to MQM chief
06 June, 2014
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Acting High Commissioner in United Kingdom, accompanied by two consular officers of the High Commission, called on Altaf Hussain on Thursday to enquire about his welfare and to convey Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's good wishes for his health, a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) said.
A bouquet of flowers was also presented to Altaf on behalf of the prime minister, the FO said. The MQM chief thanked the acting high commissioner and requested that his deep appreciation may be conveyed to the prime minister for his message of solidarity as well as for ensuring consular access to him. He said that he was grateful for this noble gesture of the prime minister, the statement added.
On the prime minister's instructions, Imran Mirza, Pakistan's acting high commissioner in London, had sought from the British government consular access to Altaf Hussain. Earlier, the British authorities had informed the acting high commissioner on Thursday that in pursuance of his request, he would be permitted consular access to Altaf for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rasheed said on Thursday that the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) and the green passport has been issued to Altaf Hussain, leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) who is arrested in London on a money laundering case.
"The NICOP and passport will be delivered to Altaf Hussain in the due course," the minister said. Addressing the National Conference on Interfaith Harmony under the auspices of the Pakistan Ulema Council, he urged religious scholars of all faiths to forge unity among their ranks to effectively address the challenges of the day.
The minister said the ulema and scholars should promote the culture of peace, love and affection as a mission. He said that the terrorists do not belong to any religion and cannot receive any respect or sympathies from any society. The conference adopted a declaration emphasizing the need to show respect for books, revered personalities and holy places of all religions.
It noted that the tendency of violence and intolerance is regrettable and alarming. It said the incidents of violence against followers of any religion are condemnable. The conference declared that rights of Muslims and non-Muslims living in Pakistan are equal. Usurpation of rights of followers of any religion is against teachings of Islam and the constitution.
Later, the minister told journalists that the government would welcome any proposal for promoting peace and harmony in Pakistan from religious scholars.
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