London Police extend MQM chief’s bail in money laundering case till July after five hours of questioning
London police has extended Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chairman Altaf Hussain’s bail till July after he was interviewed for more than five hours by investigation officers on Tuesday.
“I trust the British judicial system. Party workers should remain peaceful during the course of investigation,” said Altaf Hussain while coming out of the police station.
Earlier, the MQM chief accompanied by MQM leaders Babar Ghauri, Farooq Sattar, other members of the Rabita Committee, and his legal team, had arrived at the police station at 10am London time in connection with a money laundering investigation conducted by the London Metropolitan Police.
Outside the police station, Altaf Hussain told a news channel that he wanted all of Pakistan to pray for him. He was surrounded by security personnel, and appeared not to be in the best of health. He told the channel that he was well, and was hopeful that he would emerge victorious.
Babar Ghauri and Barrister Saif, who were with him, declined to comment at the time. The MQM members who accompanied him to the police station had left the premises after seeing him off.
The party maintains that Hussain arrived at Southwark Police Station “by appointment” and was interviewed by officers from the British Metropolitan Police.
Earlier in the day, while addressing party workers and activists gathered at Azizabad’s Jinnah Ground in Karachi, Altaf Hussain had asked his supporters to pray for him, and said that one has to undergo tests in a political struggle. He also urged his followers to remain calm.
If the police had gathered enough evidence against him, they would have charged him. But it seems they were dissatisfied with the evidence, hence they reportedly granted him bail for the third time.