MQM`s Altaf Hussain holds talks with U.S. Congressman Rohrabacher, Khan of Kalat

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain held talks with US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and the Khan of Kalat, Mir Dawood Jan, at the MQM's London Secretariat and reportedly discussed alleged rights abuses being committed by the Pakistan Army on people in Balochistan.

All three agreed to "work together for the common cause".

The MQM leader reportedly apprised Congressman Rohrabacher of "arrests, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and acts of mistreatment" of Baloch people by security forces, the Dawn quoted a press release, as saying on the party's website.

Rohrabacher, a supporter of Free Balochistan cause and a known anti-Pakistan US Congressman, has pledged to raise these issues in the U.S. Congress and at other appropriate forums, the press release said.

In a statement, the MQM said that Altaf had briefed the US lawmaker from California about alleged human rights violations and arrests of MQM workers in Karachi. The meeting lasted for four hours and members of MQM's Rabita Committee attended the meeting.

The Khan of Kalat and Hussain also agreed to "work together" for the rights of the Mohajir community and the Baloch people.

All three agreed to continue holding such meetings in the near future "work together for the common cause".The MQM said it had been agreed that all "like-minded" people will work together in future and increase coordination.

Earlier in July, a US Congressional panel titled "Pakistan: Friend or foe?" - where Rohrabacher also spoke - had come close to challenging Pakistan's existence as a state.

Self-exiled Baloch leader, the Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Dawood, is continuing the "struggle for the rights of Balochistan and its people" from abroad.

The Khan of Kalat had left the country in 2007 on the recommendations of a 'grand Baloch Jirga' after developing serious differences with the state following the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

-ANI