Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has formally sent an application to the Interpol – the world’s largest international police organisation with 190 member countries – for the issuance of red warrant against Altaf Hussain, a London-based founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
According to Interior Ministry, all legal requirements have been fulfilled keeping in view the rules and regulations of Interpol. This is the second attempt by the authorities to approach Interpol for a red warrant against Altaf – wanted by Pakistani courts in different criminal cases.
In February, a similar request was made by FIA submitting documents to Interpol to establish that the issuance of red warrant was obligatory. The documents included a copy of a court order declaring the MQM founder an absconder.
It also included a copy of an FIR registered against Altaf for delivering a speech against state institutions on August 22, 2016. Besides, documents about a subsequent probe into the matter were also submitted. However, Interpol declined the request, stating that it did not intervene in the political and religious matters of a state.
The international agency had also sought clarification from the government over its request and sought more details of the sedition charges against Altaf. This time, the government has attached more relevant document with its request to appeal to the Interpol.