MQM rallies in support of Altaf Hussain in Karachi

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) today organised a huge rally in this Pakistani port city to express solidarity with its chief Altaf Hussain who is under a cloud over the murder of a dissident leader.
Thousands of supporters and workers participated in the rally where senior MQM leaders criticised the BBC for a recent documentary that they described as "baseless propaganda" against Hussain.
The documentary said that UK prosecutors had asked Pakistan to trace two suspects believed to have been involved in the murder of senior MQM leader Imran Farooq.
"The BBC documentaries are propaganda aimed at Altaf Hussain's character assassination, and a conspiracy against Pakistan's survival and stability," party leader Farooq Sattar claimed.

He said the MQM and Hussain respect freedom of expression and freedom of press but they reject "media trials". He indicated that the party may resort to legal action if needed.
Some MQM leaders said the rally was held to remind the party's detractors that it still has control over Pakistan's biggest city and would not tolerate any conspiracy against its chief.
The party also held rallies in other parts of the country.