What happened: On Jan 31, Altaf Hussain, the founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement began his three-week trial in London for his controversial speech inciting violence in Karachi in 2016. Back story: On Aug 22, 2016, the MQM founder, who is also wanted by Pakistani police on a number of charges, delivered a controversial speech over the phone to a party gathering outside the Karachi Press Club which was then followed by his party workers yelling anti-Pakistan slurs and vandalising a media house nearby. The recent: The MQM founder has categorically disputed the indictment and declared that he will defend himself at the trial whereas the statement issued by Metropolitan Police read: “Altaf Hussain, of Abbey View, Mill Hill, NW7, was charged under section 1(2) of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2006 with promoting terrorism.” The trial: Prior to the hearing, Hussain contacted CPS, saying that he was mentally and physically unable to stand trial. He stated that he had recently been diagnosed with Covid-19 and had gone through a particular struggle that has taken a toll on his health. As a result, Hussain requested for the trial to be delayed and dismissal of the case, but the CPS rejected his plea.