MQM, PTI brace for court battle

KARACHI / ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, claiming damages of Rs5 billion for allegedly defaming and maligning MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

The PTI announced that it also would file a defamation suit against the MQM and its leaders.

Yet another prisoner escapes from Karachi court

KARACHI: Yet another prisoner escaped from Karachi’s city court on Tuesday, Express News reported.

This is the third incident of suspects escaping from the court premises in July.

According to initial details, the prisoner was brought to the court for a hearing.

Earlier on July 13, two terror suspects who were alleged members of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) escaped from the same court. They were believed to be involved in bomb attacks on Muttahida Quami Movement’s (MQM) offices during the general elections. After a court hearing was adjourned, the prisoners managed to flee easily while the CID police officials were taking them back to the jail.

PTI, MQM lawmakers extend support to Musharraf: Aide

LAHORE: Lawmakers belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) approached the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and assured their extensive support for party head Pervez Musharraf — to be extended at the “right time.”

Details of the meeting were disclosed by political advisor and close aide of Musharraf, Chaudhry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon.

Kahlon said that several senior lawmakers including representatives of PTI and MQM had privately conveyed their dismay over Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s stance on Musharraf and had provided assurances of extensive support for Musharraf.

Elections a contest between liberal and extremist forces: says Altaf

HYDERABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain that May 11 general election is a contest between liberal and extremist forces and vowed that his party would not boycott the polls.He was speaking to party workers at MQM’s main election campaign meeting on Wednesday night in Pucca Qilla ground.