Nichola Khan — a UK-based anthropologist and lecturer at Brighton Universit gave testimony as a witness before the jury in the ‘hate speech’ trial of Altaf Hussain, chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). Nichola Khan has written extensively on politics of Mujahir in Pakistan.
Nichola told the jury that the MQM did not just have political and charity wings but it was also running a militant wing. She further asserted that the party’s workers were “subjected to extrajudicial killings at the hands of Rangers, for violating human rights”, to main peace in Karachi, the mega city of Pakistan.
Nichola Khan also said Mr Hussain had spoken of “meeting violence with violence” and a total war for Muhajir rights.
She told the jury that the MQM was able to totally shut down Karachi, making dangerous travel on roads. However, after a Rangers operation in the city, MQM’s power had been much diminished by 2016.
Dr Nichola Khan presented a report on the MQM for the court and she was cross-examined by both the prosecution and defence teams in this case.
The jury acknowledged in view of Dr Nichola’s research and writing on the MQM, she had sufficient understanding of the matters which was important for the trial.
Dr Khan said she has been conducting research into issues of violence in Pakistan for about 20 years and has also written a book called Mohajir Militancy in Pakistan.
Speaking about independence of India and Pakistan, and Muhajir settlements in the city of Karachi she said the MQM started off as a student organisation which later changed into a political party.
About Mr Hussain, Dr Khan said that even after he left Pakistan and moved to the UK in the 90s, he had “absolute control over the party”. She described how MQM would call days of protest and mourning and that Mr Hussain’s control was not relinquished despite his departure from Karachi.
“After the [August 22] speech, the two TV stations, ARY and Samaa, were attacked. There was gunfire,” she said, adding: “One MQM worker was killed in the violence, allegedly by the police.”
Mr Hussain has been charged under section 1(2) of the British Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006, which relates to the encouragement of terrorism, which is defined as being intentional or reckless as to whether members of the public will be directly or indirectly encouraged or otherwise induced by the statement to commit, prepare or instigate such acts or offences.
The hearing was adjourned in the afternoon and will resume on Monday morning at the Kingston-upon-Thames crown court.
