LAHORE: The Ministry of Interior told the Lahore High Court on Thursday that taking action against London-based chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on treason charges required a careful handling, despite glaring violation of law, as it was a sensitive matter.

Presenting his report before afullbench,Interior Secretary Arif Khan stated that the law minister, the interior minister, theattorneygeneralofPakistan and a special assistant to the prime minister had held a meetingto discuss theissue.

They had decided toreferthe matter to the attorney general before making a reference to the cabinet and prime minister in view of the fact that Altaf Hussain had a large following in urban Sindh as well as substantial political strength.

Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf also appeared before the bench, headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.

Rejecting the government`s concerns on the matter, Justice Naqvi observed that a person guilty of treason could not be let off because of his politicalpower.

AGP Ausaf then requested the bench to grant three months for the government to do the needful.

Advocate Ahmad Awais, the petitioners` counsel, opposed the government`s request, accusing it of using delaying tactics.

The bench turned down the request and regretted that there had been no progress in the case as matters stood as they had on the nrst day of hearing.

The bench directed the AGP to submit a report on Jan 19, 2017. Justice Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu and Justice Erum Sajjad Gull are other members of the bench.

They were hearing identical petitions seeking the cancellation of MQM`s registration as a political party and action against Altaf Hussain under Article 6 of the Constitution.

The petitions were filed after MQM chief Altaf Hussain lashed out against state institutions, including the army and Rangers, in his political speeches.

In September 2015, the bench had ordered a blackout of the MQM chief`s activities in the electronic and print media.