On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 8:29 PM, <haroon7152@gmail.com> wrote:
Jonathan.Williams@fco.gov.uk
FCO_new logo press release
15 May 2013
CLARIFICATION OF THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS ON ALTAF HUSSAIN
A number of media outlets have requested clarification of the British High Commissioner's comments on Altaf Hussain. Please find the official transcript below. These remarks were made in a questions and answers session, following a press conference on the Pakistani General Elections. A separate transcript for the press conference has already been issued.
1) QUESTION: There are a lot of concerns in Pakistan about the recent statement of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain. Do you really think that he is breaching the code of conduct or the laws in the UK by threatening the media?.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION: You said that the British Government wanted to work more closely with Pakistan. You also said that the British government takes full support of the intimation of democracy. If Britain strongly believes this, then why does the British government is reluctant to handing over Altaf Hussain to Pakistani authorities as you know he is wanted in so many cases and second thing, would you say elections as absolute transparent?
Of course we are well aware of Altaf Hussain's remarks immediately after the election. We received quite a number of representations on them. More to the point, the London Metropolitan Police have been flooded with complaints from both Pakistani and British citizens about those remarks. What we say is that wherever somebody has a concern that hatred or violence is being incited, that one community or another is being turned against others, this should be reported to the police. And I know that they take such allegations very, very seriously indeed. You asked in your supplementary about handing over an individual. Well you have to go through the whole extradition process for that. And as you know, that is complicated in the UK Pakistan case as there is no extradition treaty. It doesn't make it impossible, but it does make it quite difficult.
2) QUESTION: Altaf Hussain has very clearly threatened to disintegrate Pakistan. He has threatened that Karachi should be separated, you must have seen in media reports…..how do view him as a British national that he has threatened to disintegrate Pakistan. And secondly, how do you compare the results of Karachi with the KPK?
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION: I just wanted to know that there are reports and there are demands from everywhere, US, United Nations, UK that the UK shouldn't allow anybody to use their soil against any country, either India or Afghanistan. And now a UK citizen is using UK soil against Pakistan, Is asking to disintegrate Pakistan, is inciting the violence in Pakistan, We want to know…I don't know the law in the UK. What is the law about using the UK soil against Pakistan or against Pakistani people and playing with their lives? So what's the law and what can be done?
Is there another question on that or is that it?....Ok. That's it. I think the first thing I have to say is that I understand that Altaf Hussain said that he has not said these remarks and that they have been understood in some way. It may be that they were never said or they have been retracted. But as far as the United Kingdom is concerned, we have very strong laws which are enforced on that prohibit the incitement to violence or incitement of hatred. And we take these laws seriously. I won't personalise it. But I repeat, where people have evidence that there has been a violation of our law, they are encouraged to report to the police. They do investigate seriously and on every occasion they have to make a judgement about whether they can bring a successful prosecution or not.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION: So in this matter will this also be investigated?
In this case the police have received a large number of complaints. It is for them and not for the British High Commission, or the British High Commissioner, to say what they will do next.
3) QUESTION: Pakistan has always extended support to the UK, for example during the 7/11 and may be other incidents. As far as Altaf Hussain statement is concerned, it is more, more and far more dangerous than any terrorist attack. As you know he talked about the disintegration of Pakistan, so why you are hesitating to give a clear statement and what action you are going to take and why you are not going to take any action? You have evidence, (as it was) on aired by every TV channel.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION: Can I just add a little thing as it's not just about giving the statement and then denying it to the media in Paksitan but one thing is clear that he try to spark violence in Karachi and he talked about breaking the arms and legs of the reporters who will report anything against MQM. That is something very serious.
Three points. The first thing is clearly statements like this have to be taken seriously. Alright. The second thing is, is that unlike some countries in the world, the British police are fiercely independent of British government. And it is for the British police to investigate allegations of incitement to violence or incitement to hatred. And to make a judgement on whether they can bring a successful prosecution. My third point, slightly off the point, but forgive me, is that Altaf Hussain has apparently retracted or denied his statement. So he is not as I understand it maintaining a position that he is definitely going to disintegrate. But I don't want to quibble. I repeat my first point which is that such statements are taken very seriously. My third point was really that now please don't underestimate the threat to the integrity of the state of Pakistan from terrorism. As well as from politicians. Terrorism is also a grave threat.
Sent from my BlackBerry® Smartphone provided by Ufone
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