Search at Altaf's London home concludes

LONDON: Police have concluded their search at the North London home of MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

Sources confirmed that the specialist operations unit left at midnight.

The MQM chief’s residence was raided by around 40 specialist unit detectives at dawn on Tuesday.

The control of the house has been handed to the local police and around six policemen remain at the scene but the search has concluded.

Forensic experts along with investigators of Dr Imran Farooq's murder case took part in the search.

A decision regarding further questioning will be made after Altaf Hussain’s medical tests are completed on Wednesday. The MQM chief’s lawyers are also expected to submit his plea for bail.


Altaf Hussain was arrested from his home in North London according on suspicion of being involved in money laundering.

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

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.”
 

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.

Pakistan High Commission asks for access to Altaf

The Pakistan High Commission has asked for access to MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

The Pakistan High Commission had approached the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Tuesday for consular services to Altaf Hussain but has not received a reply.

MQM continues protest



MQM workers and supporters continue their protests in Karachi and major cities of Sindh until the release of party chief Altaf Hussain.

In Karachi, thousands of MQM workers are holding a protest at Numaish Chowrangi.

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.”

PM directs Pakistani HC in London to provide consular access to Altaf

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed Pakistani High Commission (HC) to London for providing consular access to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain immediately, Geo News reported.

According to the spokesman of Prime Minister House, the government was ready to provide legal and moral assistance to Altaf Hussain.

The federal government termed reaction in Karachi over Altaf’s arrest ‘regretful’, saying that damaging life and property is against the law.

PM Nawaz directed Sindh government and law enforcement agencies to ensure safety of life and property of masses in the province.

Rashid terms elements meeting in London politically jobless

LAHORE: Information Minister Pervez Rashid said on Saturday that those meeting in London were politically jobless people, in an obvious reference to Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Muslim League-Q leaders.

Speaking to media, he said that remnants of Musharraf were trying to bring together dear ones of the former military dictator. He said one of those would not secure a place in parliament while the other will not be able to become an opposition in the parliament.

“These people are luring Imran Khan into their cage but he is scared of making an entry as he seems only revolving around the cage so far,” the minister said.

Shujaat, Pervez Elahi, Qadri meet in London

LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-Q leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervez Elahi met Awami Tehreek leader Dr Tahirul Qadri on Friday.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting Qadri said that the prevailing system in Pakistan was against the aspiration of people of Pakistan and it would do nothing for the masses.

“I have given 10-point agenda, our meeting with Q-league leaders will continue on Saturday,” he said and added that all those want to eliminate system of corruption and rigging were backing him

Speaking on the occasion, Shujaat Hussain said that his London visit was amid at meeting Tahirul Qadri.

Pervez Elahi said that situation was deteriorating in Pakistan as the incumbent government was based on rigged election

London subway strike called off at last minute

LONDON: Commuters in London and the city's hordes of tourists are breathing more easily after a planned three-day subway strike was called off at the last minute.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union suspended the strike Monday afternoon after progress was reported at talks with transport officials. The strike was due to start later Monday.

Union official Mike Cash said "real movement and significant progress on the issues at the heart of this dispute" had been made. The dispute centers on management plans to close all ticket offices on the sprawling subway network known as the Tube. Officials say some 750 jobs would be lost out of a staff of 18,000.

A two-day strike last week caused widespread disruption.

Around 3.5 million journeys are made daily on the Tube.

Halcyon days of Italian fashion honoured in London show

LONDON: From its birth in post-war Florence through to Milan's modern-day creations, a new London show is celebrating the glory days of the "Made in Italy" brand, which today is facing an uncertain future.

Spectacular gowns and accessories from top designers and forgotten brands showcase the craftsmanship and style that helped rebuild Italy and its global reputation after World War II.

The exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum is entitled "The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014", but it has a nostalgic air, a reminder of how Italy's standing in the fashion world has declined.

The marketing of Italy as the home of fashion began at the time of the Marshall Plan, the US aid package that helped rebuild parts of Europe destroyed and demoralised by war.

With the vision of charismatic businessman Giovanni Battista Giorgini, the funds helped Italian fashion play a key role in national reconstruction - and give Paris a run for its money.

Giorgini succeeded in attracting international buyers, including US department stores, and organised the first major show in February 1951, where models sporting elegant dresses and casual beach wear worked the catwalk at his Florence home.

"The fact that Giorgini convinced these buyers to come and add Florence after Paris on their fashion route really brought the international press and buying power to Italy for the first time," explained exhibition curator Sonnet Stanfill.

Italy's international reputation for style was ingrained by the semi-mythical "Sala Bianca" shows, held in Florence's sumptious Palazzo Pitti and captured on black and white film.

Among those early designers, Emilio Pucci is the only brand currently shown on the runway.

Others disappeared into obscurity, including Vanna and Emilio Schuberth, who is represented at the London show by a stunning strapless robe in various shades of pink.

Cinema and its glamorous stars served as a unique shop window for Italian designers, thanks to the many movies filmed in the Cinecitta studios in the 1950s and 1960s.

A Sorelle Fontana dress worn by Hollywood star Ava Gardner and a Bulgari necklace and emerald-and-diamond ring given by Richard Burton to his lover Elizabeth Taylor, who filmed Cleopatra in Rome, are among about 100 exhibits on show.

Combining expert craftsmanship and lower-than-Paris prices, Italian designers drove a booming export market, profiting from a thriving textile industry and local skill clusters: Como for silk, Biella (Piedmont) for wool and Prato (Tuscany) for leather.

In the 1980s, Milan became the capital of Italian fashion and the "Made in Italy" brand became an effective marketing tool worldwide.

Marked by a stunning pair of Dolce & Gabbana black boots encrusted with stones, and Valentino and Armani evening dresses, the final part of the exhibition explores the latest big names in Italian fashion.

It also looks at the uncertain future of an industry plagued by economic difficulties and the advancing age of its designers.

"I was very aware of the debate that is swirling around Milan at the moment. If (renowned fashion writer) Suzy Menkes referred to London as a fashion laboratory, where does that leave Milan?" asked Stanfill.

"I think the fact that the Camera Nazionale della Moda (Italy's national fashion council) has created a new position, that of CEO, and appointed a British female executive, Jane Reeve, to that position, indicates its own self-awareness that there needs to be a change," she added.

It is a sentiment expressed by the designers themselves in a film shown at the end of the exhibition.

"Italian fashion needs really to wake up... we need fresh blood," argues Jacopo Etro, creative director of accessories and leather at Etro. He claims the high number of designers aged over 70 is blocking progress.

Mariano Rubinacci, chairman of the eponymous tailoring company, complains of "unbelievable taxes" while Angela Missoni, creative director of Missoni, bemoans a lack of government support.

It is a message that may be particularly poignant for new Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, 39, who saw the exhibition on Tuesday evening during a visit to London.

Putin says wants ’diplomatic solution’ to Ukraine crisis: London

LONDON: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he wanted to find a "diplomatic solution" to the crisis in Ukraine in a telephone call with British Prime Minister David Cameron, according to Downing Street.
Cameron had called Putin to urge him to "de-escalate" the situation in Ukraine and to support the formation of a contact group that could lead to direct talks between Moscow and the new leaders in Kiev.
"President Putin agreed that it is in all our interests to have a stable Ukraine," a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
"He said that Russia did want to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis and that he would discuss the proposals on the contact group with Foreign Minister (Sergei) Lavrov tomorrow."
Cameron had made clear to Putin that Britain, along with its European partners and the United States, "want to work with Russia to find a diplomatic solution to the situation in Ukraine, including Crimea".
The British prime minister told Putin that "we recognise the right of all Ukrainian people to choose their future" and that elections scheduled for May "provide the best way to do this".