Internews/Islamabad
The government in Pakistan has decided to register a money laundering case against London-based Altaf Hussain, the leader of Karachi-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and some other party leaders.
Media reports yesterday quoting unnamed interior ministry sources as saying that Pakistan and the UK have been cooperating in three dimensions.
The Scotland Yard was allowed to probe three accused - Muazzam Ali, Khalid Shamim and Mohsin Ali – allegedly members of MQM – and now an extradition request from the UK is being awaited.
In return for facilitating the Scotland Yard, Pakistan sought help from the UK for preparing a reference against Altaf for making a provocative speech against the Pakistan army and security institutions, and most importantly, Pakistan has sought documentary proof, including account details, of the money laundering charge.
According to sources, ransom money had been sent to some MQM leaders in London and the case could be registered with the Federal Investigation Agency counterterrorism wing in Karachi zone.
This FIA wing is being headed Inam Ghani due to whose efforts this wing was given the status of a police station empowered to register cases related to terrorism, money laundering,
cybercrimes among others.
The case would be registered in the light of proof received from the UK. Altaf is already on bail in a similar case in the UK.
