Altaf Hussain shifted to police station

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has been moved to the police station from hospital, Geo News reported.

A London Metropolitan Police statement said the 60-year-old man arrested on Tuesday, 3 June in connection with a money laundering investigation has now been returned to a police station from hospital.

The release back to detention was agreed after consultation with the hospital responsible for assessing his medical condition.

The Scotland Yard told Geo News earlier, that the time which Altaf spent in the hospital would not be included in the detention period.

They said Altaf was arrested on Tuesday but he remained in the police station for a little time, therefore, 72-hour detention law would not be applicable on him.

The detention period would begin again when the MQM chief returned to the police station from hospital.

Altaf Hussain in high spirits, upbeat mood: acting Pak HC

 

LONDON: The acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Imran Mirza, has said that MQM leader Altaf Hussain is in “high spirits” and hopes that he will “come out of the situation.”
After meeting Altaf Hussain for about 20 minutes at the Wellington Hospital in West London, Imran Mirza said that Altaf was thankful to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for expressing concern and for asking the Pakistan High Commission to arrange consular access to him.

Imran Mirza spoke to the media after Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office on on Thursday granted consular access to the MQM. Mirza visited Altaf Hussain in London’s Wellington Hospital and spent 20 minutes with him.

According to the Foreign Office in Islamabad, the Pakistan High Commission also sought details of the case against the MQM chief. The Foreign Office added that all possible legal assistance would be provided to the MQM leader.

“Altaf Hussain is not well. He will undergo more tests, doctors have to keep him under further observation and then the next decision will be made. I cannot say much more on this situation,” the Pak diplomat said.

Imran Mirza said: “Altaf Hussain was in high spirits. He has faith in the British justice system. He will come out of it. He was upbeat psychologically. He thanked PM Sharif for showing solidarity with him. We are also thankful to the British government for allowing us access to Altaf Hussain on short notice. It does not normally happen so quickly. Altaf Hussain is confident that he will be fine.”

Mirza said the MQM leader had not asked for any consular help but he said the Pakistan High Commission would continue to liaise with the FCO and Scotland Yard on the issue. “Altaf Hussain has told us that he is being looked after well and his needs are being fulfilled. It was a cordial meeting and he has told his workers not to worry.”

MQM leaders Babar Ghauri, Khawaja Sohail, Saleem Zaidi, Qasim Ali Raza, Saleem Danish, Arshad Vohra and many others visited the hospital where Altaf Hussain is being kept. They were carrying bouquets and cards.

However, MQM leader Wasay Jalil said the delegation was not allowed to meet Altaf Hussain.Answering the questions from The News, Babar Ghauri said the MQM was thankful to the PM of Pakistan for standing by the MQM in this “difficult hour.”

He thanked Nawaz Sharif for taking personal interest in the case and for arranging consular access. Ghauri said: “All our workers in the UK and around the world are saddened by what has happened. Altaf Hussain should not have been arrested. Whatever the reasons, only the UK authorities know, legally this was not fair, this action should not have been taken.”

Ghauri said that Altaf Bhai is loved by millions of people. “There is always a reaction to an action but MQM has controlled the situation. I salute our workers. There is a legal way of doing everything and we believe in the supremacy of the law.”

He told The News that Altaf’s heart beats for his people and he is always concerned about them. “Nothing can separate him for his people. When he spoke, he said he has been through many tribulations but he will stand by his people and will face off all the challenges. We will deal with every situation accordingly and will not bow to any undue pressure.”

Ghauri said that the money recovered from the MQM office and Hussain’s home are not really such “big amounts.” He said it is normal for people to have properties of millions and billions and huge cash amounts. “We have legal proof and justification of how these amounts were in our possession, we have receipts and confirmations and we will prove this in court. It’s a conspiracy that Hussain has been arrested. We will present our case if it goes to the court.”

Ghauri confirmed to The News that MQM officials are in touch with British officials and are doing their best to get the situation resolved. “Our leader is not alone, the whole nation is with him.”

NNI adds: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) continued staging sit-ins to show solidarity with its chief Altaf Hussain. MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that reports of Hussain’s medical tests will arrive soon following which the decision to record a statement to the police will be made.

He said that the sit-in protests would continue until assurance of Hussain’s health is received. While talking to media persons, Dr Farooq Sattar said that life in Karachi would continue as normal. He said that Altaf Hussain was still receiving treatment in hospital, adding that the doctors performed some medical examination on the MQM chief. The MQM leader said that Altaf Hussain also met his 11-year-old daughter.

Online adds: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad said Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain would emerge as victorious from this critical situation spawned as a result of his arrest by British police.

Addressing the participants of the Numaish sit-in moments after midnight, the governor said he thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his persistent cooperation, adding the federal government was in constant liaison with the high commission in Britain for the purpose.

Sindh governor Ebad also thanked federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari and all other political leaders who extended sympathies towards the Muttahida, its workers and Altaf Hussain.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain to undergo angiography

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain will undergo an angiography procedure today (Thursday) at a private hospital in London on Thursday (today).

The MQM chief has been admitted at a London hospital after he was arrested by Scotland Yard on suspicion of money laundering on Tuesday.

On Wednesday night, the MQM chief was allowed by Scotland Yard to make a call to the International Secretariat and called on workers to remain peaceful.

MQM and hospital sources confirmed that Altaf Hussain underwent at least half a dozen tests on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan High Commission said on Wednesday that Acting High Commissioner Imran Mirza had written to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) seeking consular access to Altaf Hussain. It was said that Pakistan High Commission had written to the FCO on advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“We can confirm that we have received a diplomatic note from the Pakistani High Commission and have passed it on to the relevant authorities. It’s for the relevant authorities to make a decision on this,” FCO spokesperson said.

Governor Sindh Ishrat Ibaad also called Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner Imran Mirza and asked about Pakistan’s consular access request to the FCO. Mr Mirza assured the governor that every effort was being made to ensure that counsellor access is provided to the MQM chief.

Governor Sindh speaks to Altaf Hussain

KARACHI: Governor Sindh Ishratul Ebad spoke to MQM chief Altaf Hussain on the telephone.

During their conversation Ebad inquired about Altaf Hussain’s health and conveyed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s well wishes.

Governor Sindh also informed the MQM chief about the emotions of people and MQM workers.

Altaf Hussain arrested in London

 

LONDON: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, Altaf Hussain, was dramatically arrested on Tuesday from his home in North West London, according to the Scotland Yard and the party.
The Scotland Yard confirmed that a 60-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of money-laundering but did not name Altaf Hussain.‘Crippled’ Geo maintained its tradition to report correctly and in time as it was the first channel to break the news of Altaf’s arrest exclusively when sources within the MQM and the police confirmed that it was Altaf Hussain who had been arrested. The international media followed Geo and later the national media also followed suit. Police confirmed the news officially at least an hour after Geo broke the news.

Geo was again the first channel to film the North London property of Altaf Hussain being searched by around three dozen detectives from the Specialist Operations Unit.Detectives confirmed to The News that the operation began at 5:30am and all members of the household were asked to leave the property and Altaf Hussain was arrested.

A British citizen, Altaf Hussain has lived in exile in the UK since 1991 after he fled Karachi and sought asylum here. He has been attacked in Karachi several times before he left Pakistan.Initially, the MQM denied the news of the arrest and issued several denials but later on issued a detailed press release and accepted that Altaf Hussain had been arrested.

“Mr Altaf Hussain has been taken to the police station where the police doctor will examine his health and decide if Mr Hussain is fit to be interviewed. Mr Altaf Hussain is at present in the police station,” the MQM said on Tuesday afternoon.

The MQM said the Metropolitan Police arrived at the residence of Altaf Hussain in North London. “They had the search warrant and said that they wanted to arrest Mr Hussain and take him to the police station where he will be questioned about money laundering investigation.

“We would like to inform that Mr Hussain has been very ill for past several days and only yesterday (Monday) the MQM central coordination committee discussed his health situation and contacted his personal doctor. The doctor visited the residence of Mr Hussain and examined him. He advised to shift him to the hospital. He also consulted various specialist consultants and it was decided that today i.e. Tuesday in the morning Mr Hussain will be admitted to a London hospital where he will undergo treatment for the next few days.”

The MQM further said, “Today (Tuesday), Mr Hussain was getting ready for the hospital when the police arrived at his house and informed him that he is being arrested for investigation.”The Scotland Yard confirmed late on Tuesday that Altaf Hussain had been taken to hospital for the previously scheduled medical appointment.

“The arrest took place at a residential address in NW London.Officers are at present searching the address. 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.”

Zardari for complete justice to Altaf Hussain

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday demanded of British government to provide complete justice to Altaf Hussain.

In a statement issued on Tuesday over MQM chief detention in London, Zardari said that Altaf Hussain was a leader of one of the biggest political parties of the country and his arrest was a sensitive issue.

He said that Britain is known for upholding human rights and justice and he hoped that all procedures would be followed and MQM chief would be given complete justice. (PPI)

Altaf Hussain arrested on suspicion of money-laundering

LONDON: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain was arrested dramatically at his home in North West London, according to the Scotland Yard and the MQM.

Scotland Yard confirmed that a 60 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering but did not name Altaf Hussain.

Geo was the first channel to break the news of the arrest exclusively when sources within the MQM and the police confirmed that it was Altaf Hussain who had been arrested. The police confirmed the news officially at least an hour after Geo broke the news.

Geo was again the first channel to film the North London property of Altaf Hussain being searched by around three dozen detectives from the Specialist Operations Unit.

Detectives confirmed to The News that the operation began at 5:30am and all members of the household were asked to leave the property and Hussain was arrested.

A British citizen, Altaf Hussain has lived in exile in the UK since 1991 after he fled Karachi and sought asylum here. He has been attacked in Karachi several times before he left Pakistan.

Initially the MQM denied the news of the arrest and issued several denials but later on issued a detailed press release and accepted that Hussain had been arrested.

Said MQM on Tuesday afternoon: “Mr Altaf Hussain has been taken to the police station where the Police doctor will examine his health and decide if Mr Hussain is fit to be interviewed. Mr Altaf Hussain is at present in the police station.”

The MQM said the Metropolitan Police arrived at the residence of Mr Altaf Hussain in North London. “They had the search warrant and said that they want to arrest Mr Hussain and take him to the police station where he will be questioned about money laundering investigation.

“We would like to inform that Mr Hussain has been very ill for past several days and only yesterday the MQM Central Coordination Committee discussed his health situation and contacted his personal doctor. The doctor visited the residence of Mr Hussain and examined him. He advised to shift him to the hospital. He also consulted with various specialist consultants and it was decided that today, i.e. Tuesday, in the morning Mr Hussain will be admitted to a London Hospital where he will undergo treatment for the next few days.”

“Today, Mr Hussain was getting ready for the hospital when the police arrived at his house and informed him that he is being arrested for investigation.”

Scotland Yard confirmed late on Tuesday that Hussain has been taken to hospital for previously scheduled medical appointment.

“The arrest took place at a residential address in NW London. Officers are at present searching the address. 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.”

Altaf Hussain tells workers to observe peaceful mourning on Friday

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain while describing the incident of what he claimed the extra-judicial killing of his party’s workers as barbaric, asked the people and MQM activists to observe a peaceful day of mourning on Friday.

In a statement issued here, the MQM Chief asked the workers and people to withhold their emotions.

Altaf Hussain ratified the MQM Rabitta Committee’s call for observing Friday as the day of mourning in the wake of yesterday’s recovery of four bodies from Memon Goth which they identified as their workers.

He lamented that despite repeated pleas and protests over arrests of workers and the dumping of tortured bodies, the government has failed to take any notice.

Altaf Hussain appealed the President, Prime Minister and Army Chief to order steps towards putting an end to the incidents of ‘extra-judicial killing’ of MQM workers. He also demanded an action, including filing of cases, against the elements involved in such killings.

“Police and law enforcing agencies had better not invite Allah Almighty’s wrath by killing the workers,” he said.

Altaf Hussain also expressed sympathies with the families of the dead workers.