Leader and founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain's trial for alleged hate speech will start from January 31 at the Kingston Crown Court, with the hearing expected to go on for at least three weeks.

Hussain is under scrutiny for a controversial speech he broadcasted live from United Kingdom to his followers in Pakistan. The speech was made on August 22, 2016 and Scotland Yard formally charged Hussain with a terrorism offense in October 2019.

Hussain is facing trial under UK’s Terrorism Act 2006, which includes legislation that makes it illegal to encourage or glorify terrorism or even disseminate terrorist publications using the internet.

The inquiry came about after an FIR was registered in Karachi, against Hussain and his speech for fanning anti-Pakistan sentiments and encouraging violence.

Hussain’s lawyer maintained that the speech was only made for political purposes and the onus of responsibility for the resulting violence and terror was not on the MQM founder. The exiled leader reportedly also wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service, asking for the case to be dropped as his health was not the best after recovering from the coronavirus but his application was rejected.

On August 22, 2016, after Hussain's speech was broadcasted from London, stick wielding party workers marched through the streets of Karachi and attacked media houses and other private properties in broad daylight. Scores of people were injured and properties worth thousands were destroyed.