Pak: MQM chief Hussain alleges Jamaat linked to Taliban, Qaeda

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain today linked Pakistan's hardline Jamaat-e-Islami to Taliban and al-Qaeda militants, claiming several activists of the party have been killed in US drone strikes.
"Several active workers of JI and its student wing, Islami Jamiat Tulaba (IJT), have been killed in drone attacks in Waziristan," said Hussain while addressing the MQM general workers' meeting on the phone from London.
Hussain, in his usual fiery speech, claimed a large number of Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives have been relocated to upscale areas of Karachi.
Cautioning the public of the "development", he said his party, along with the armed forces, was ready to defend every corner of the country.

The MQM chief warned that things would get out of hand if discrimination against Muhajirs continued, adding that even armed forces of the country would not be able to control the situation then.
Muhajirs are those Muslims who migrated to Pakistan following the partition.

Alleging Jamaat's involvement, along with Taliban and al-Qaeda, in killings of Pakistani military officials, Hussain demanded the authorities immediately ban the Jamaat and IJT.
Condemning yesterday's incident in Punjab University when Jamaat activists resorted to violent protests following a face-off with the university administration, Hussain said weapons recovered from hostel students were being portrayed as "plastic toys", whereas, he added, the MQM workers were being implicated in fake cases.

Hussain also criticised Jamaat chief Munawar Hasan for declaring slain Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud a "martyr".
Mehsud, along with four other militants, was killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, on November 1.
Meanwhile, calling Hussain's statements as unfounded and provocative, Jamaat Secretary General Liaqat Baloch said his was a peaceful religio-political party.
He accused MQM of being involved in targeted killings, extortion and urged Karachiites to dissociate themselves from the party and its chief.