Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, MNA Khawaja Asif, has said that PML-N would welcome Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Punjab. He was addressing a media briefing here on Tuesday, along with Pervaiz Rasheed and Nawaz Sharif's Political Secretary Dr Asif Kirmani.
Khawaja Asif has challenged the MQM to do politics in the mainstream at national level, claiming that MQM cannot win even a single seat in Karachi in a free and fair election. Encountering the MQM, he said that his party was ready to argue (hold Munazra) with MQM in Lahore, Karachi or anywhere. Altaf Hussain is the only 'foreigner' chief of an ethnic party (MQM) in Pakistan, he said, adding, "Altaf Hussain is trying to misguide the masses, but he cannot make fool all the people all the time, as the people are now well aware and can understand the politicians tactics."
To a question, he said that Altaf Hussain should come to Pakistan to do politics, and if he had any visa problem, the PML-N would help resolve this issue. "However, Altaf Hussain has never wished to return to Pakistan," he added. To another question, Khawaja Asif said that MQM had become coalition partner of the PPP thrice, and this time it did not part ways with federal cabinet on a principled stand. Khawaja Asif said that MQM's identity was of terrorism and 'Bhatta' (extortion), and "we hold it responsible for the carnage and target killings in Karachi."
He asserted that it was MQM, which threatened the Chief Justice of Pakistan of dire consequences on visiting Karachi, while it also burnt to death lawyers, who were pleading case of May 12 killings in Karachi, in their chambers, and it also killed 90 people against assassination of its one leader." Responding to another query by reporters, he said, MQM chief Altaf Hussain resorted to character assassination of PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, however, the N-League would not respond in a language (loose talk) used by Altaf Hussain.