FIA approaches UK, UAE to collect evidence against Altaf Hussain

KARACHI – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has contacted authorities in UK and UAE seeking evidence regarding Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain’s involvement in terror financing and money laundering.

The security agency has also approached revenue board, local banks and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to collect records regarding this matter.

On Thursday, an anti-terrorism court issued a bailable arrest warrant for Altaf Hussain in the case regarding terror financing and money laundering. The court also directed the FIA to produce the accused till Nov 15.

The investigation agency also submitted an interim charge sheet against the MQM founder to the court. The FIA has launched the investigation in the case following a complaint registered by UK-based businessman Sarfraz Merchant.

According to the charge sheet, Hussain received funds from India through MQM’s welfare wing, Khidmat-i-Khalq Foundation (KKF), to carry out illegal activities in Pakistan. The foundation was also channeled to transfer illegal money to him in London, it added.

The complainant, Merchant, Hussain and other suspects had been interrogated by Scotland Yard regarding money laundering; however, the investigation against them was shut down last year.

The FIA further claimed that KKF’s funds illegally transferred in the banks accounts of Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra, Senator Babar Ghauri, Khawaja Sohail Mansoor, Khawaja Rehan and Senator Ahmed Ali, who have been named as co-suspects in the case.

Tariq Mir and Mohammad Anwar have been identified as Hussain's alleged partners in the FIR.

Dawn News quoted the charge sheet as stating, “The funds collected by KKF are to be utilised for various social welfare activities whereas the funds are being misused by Altaf Hussain and his accomplices in the UK and Pakistan through MNAs, Senators, Deputy Mayor and other members of the MQM. The funds transferred [layered] from bank accounts of KKF in account of different individuals and organisations were subsequently bank-to-bank transferred to MQM (UK) and various other accounts in the UK”.