ISLAMABAD: The Minister of Interior has approved issuance of red warrant against founder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Tuesday.
Founder of the political organisation that primarily is Karachi-based is wanted in several legal cases registered under different Sections of Anti-terrorism Act. The party has been alleged in the recent past of receiving covert funds from Indian agencies to forward agenda of the arch-rival.
Founder of the party has been living in a self-imposed exile in London since 1992.
The approval of the ministry has come in over six months after founder of the political organisation detached himself with the party paving way for its division into two factions in August 2016 over anti-state remarks.
MQM’s founder raised anti-Pakistan slogans in his address that was delivered to party’s supporters via a telephone call from London on August 22, 2016 prompting strong backlash from all sections of the society besides from the military and the federal and provincial governments.
The then party chief had to announce his detachment with the party leading Dr Farooq Sattar to assume command of the Pakistan chapter after separating himself from the founder over ‘unacceptable’ remarks.
Several leaders of MQM followed Dr Sattar’s call and joined MQM Pakistan however, certain leaders, mostly those settled in London including Nadeem Nusrat refused to part ways with the founder of the political organisation.
Since August 2016, Muttahida Qaumi Movement has its two factions that are operational, MQM Pakistan and MQM London.
Dozens of illegal offices of the party were bulldozed in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities of Sindh by law enforcement agencies in a crackdown that was launched against the party following the objectionable remarks.
On the other hand, Scotland Yard dropped money laundering investigations against MQM supremo last year in October. British law enforcers demanded of the Government of Pakistan to put forth credible evidence in order to have the case reopened.
A money laundering case was lodged against him after a raid on his residence in London on December 5, 2013.
INP