Martial law better than military courts in Pakistan: MQM chief

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain Wednesday said that it is better to have martial law in Pakistan than to set up military courts, Dawn News reported.

However, he warned that it would be a mistake to think that the army alone could solve the country's problems.

The MQM leader made the remarks during a telephonic press conference at the party headquarters in Karachi.

He said that it would be better if the army took over rather than having "undemocratic" military courts in the country.

Altaf Hussain also suggested that Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif should handle the affairs of state for two years.

He also said that since martial law had been placed in Pakistan many times before, there was nothing wrong with imposing it once more.

"Martial law has been imposed a hundred times, why not once more," the MQM leader said.

"Without the support of the people, the army alone cannot do anything," he said.

In late August, during anti-government protests that were being held in Islamabad, Altaf Hussain had warned the government and protesters that the country would have yet another martial law if they did not resolve their dispute.

However, he also said his warning about martial law should not be interpreted as supporting a military takeover.