LONDON - London Metropolitan Police has said that it has started investigation of money laundering and inciting violence against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, reported BBC on Thursday.
The BBC has claimed that 0.4 million pounds were found in London police raids at the office of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Altaf Hussain’s residence. Police did not give details about the amount but said the amount was taken into custody under Proceed of Crime Act.
The raids were conducted on December 6, 2012 and June 18, 2013. Police however said that no arrests have yet been made in this connection. The Metropolitan Police is also investigating the murder of Dr Imran Farooq.
Former deputy convener of MQM Dr Farooq Sattar talking to BBC admitted that the London police had seized some amount of money during the raids, adding that he was not aware of the exact figure.
Sattar said that MQM was not involved in money laundering. He alleged that the BBC’s documentary on Altaf Hussain was influenced by pro-Taliban elements. He claimed that no threatening statements were issued from London to trigger violence in Pakistan.
The police wrote a response to BBC, verifying the raids on Altaf Hussain’s residence and office. They also acceded that huge sums of money were seized from his home and office.
The investigation has started but no arrests have been made as yet, police said.
During a report prepared by BBC show News Night, the police told a BBC correspondent that the investigation into former MQM leader Imran Farooq’s murder was also underway.
Earlier in June, as part of its investigation into the Imran Farooq murder case, Scotland Yard raided Altaf Hussain’s house in London. The search operation continued for over 55 hours.
Earlier this month, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police in London had said that a significant amount of money was seized in the raid from the house of the MQM chief. However, the spokesperson did not disclose whether the politician was questioned over it.
Another spokesperson said that if a money laundering case is established then it would be treated as a financial case, separate from the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq.
The London Police has declared the last year’s arrest of two men in Karachi crucial in Imran Farooq murder case, saying that it is in contact with Pakistani authorities on the matter.
Last month, the police also detained a man, coming from Canada, from Heathrow Airport and interrogated him for several hours in connection with Imran Farooq murder case. Later, the man was released on bail until September.
INP adds: MQM senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar has said that foreign media reports about his party chief Altaf Hussain’s involvement in money laundering are baseless and far from reality.
In statement issued on Thursday, in response to the BBC documentary aired on Wednesday in which Dr Imran Farooq murder case, money laundering, political influence and threats and several other issues, involving Altaf Hussin, were discussed.
“By making such a documentary, the BBC seems to be influenced by pro-Taliban forces,” said the MQM leader.
Dr Farooq Sattar said that Altaf Hussain never harmed anyone and always gave the lesson of reconciliation and squaring off.