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MQM chief Altaf Hussain held in London

By
AFP

June 03, 2014

MQM chief Altaf Hussain held in London

LONDON: London police detained Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on suspicion of money laundering on Tuesday, sources said.

Scotland Yard confirmed that a 60 year old British-Pakistani man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering.




The arrest took place this morning at a North West London property where police had earlier recovered £250,000.

In a statement Scotland Yard said officers were at present searching the address and they were not ready to discuss any further details at this stage.




The BBC quoting Altaf Hussain’s party reported that the MQM leader had been arrested in London.

According to Geo News London correspondent Muratza Ali Shah, the MQM chief has been taken to the central London police station and Scotland Yard said it would announce its decision to either charge or release him on bail after the questioning is over.




The MQM coordination committee said Altaf Hussain had been ill and was getting ready to leave for the hospital when the police arrived at his house. The MQM leader was taken to the police station where he would be questioned and his health would be examined.

In a statement issued at approximately 19:30 (PST) the Metropolitan Police said the arrested man was being taken to a hospital for a previously scheduled medical appointment. The statement further said the man has an existing medical condition and we will ensure that he attends pre-arranged hospital appointments today.

‘He will remain in the custody of officers throughout,’ the statement added.



MQM denies Altaf's arrest

MQM leader Barrister Farogh Naseem told Geo News that London police have asked to record MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s statement but no arrest has been made so far.

Meanwhile, the MQM Rabitta Committee called an emergency meeting to discuss the issue at Nine Zero.

MQM leader Nadeem Nusrat said Altaf Hussain had not been arrested and urged party workers to remain calm during this time.





Cannot comment on London Police investigation: British HC

When Geo News contacted the British High Commission to confirm reports coming from London, the spokesman said that they can’t comment on the recent developments. The spokesperson also said that Scotland Yard can be contacted for any information as the issue is outside the jurisdiction of the British High Commission.

The British Deputy High Commission in Karachi has also been closed for the public.

Altaf Hussain issue is sensitive: PM Nawaz

During a parliamentary party meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the issue of Altaf Hussain being detained was sensitive. Prime Minister Sharif added the government will review all legal aspects of the issue which will be resolved in accordance with the law.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also directed PML-N leaders to refrain from making any statements on the issue.

Situation in Karachi

Violence and unrest were reported in several areas of Karachi following reports of Altaf Hussain being held in London. There were also traffic jams on major arteries of the city.

Public transport, businesses and petrol stations across the city have been shut down.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) also suffered a major decline of 780 points but later made a recovery.

Altaf Hussain political profile