KARACHI: Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) on Monday lodged a case against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder in connection with money laundering charges, reported a private TV channel.
The case was lodged at the department’s state bank circle by former MQM member Sarfraz Merchant. Merchant accused the party leaders of transferring money to the MQM founder’s account from bank accounts of Khildmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) through illegal means such as Hawala.
As per reports, the case has been filed for alleged violation of bank laws as well as suspected anti-terrorism charges against the MQM-L leader.
Meanwhile, Scotland Yard confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has dispatched an “International Letter of Request” to concerned authorities in Pakistan seeking assistance in its investigations in connection with at least two speeches made by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s founder on March 11, 2015, and Aug 22, 2016.
According to reports, the Scotland Yard had also confirmed that the Pakistani authorities had also lodged an FIR with the Met Police requesting to probe MQM founder in connection with comments he made during an interview.
The letter alleges the MQM founder of inciting violence, since after his address to the crowds at the Karachi Press Club on August 22, 2016, via telephone, violence gripped the city. “Towards the end of the speech, he seemed to be encouraging the audience to go and attack local media stations, the Sindh Police and the Sindh government offices and Secretariat”.
According to CPS reports, the protesters attacked a local news channel, subsequently killing one person and injuring several others.
The request letter asks Pakistan to present evidence in various forms for assessment purposes so that material may prove helpful for ascertaining charges and consequent prosecution of the London-based leader. The evidence requested comprises of copies of investigation files on speeches; Sindh Police file; the Sindh counter-terror police investigation file, the FIA file; the Sindh Rangers file; details of any suspects in relation to the incident on March 11, 2015, and August 22, 2016; witness statements; audio and visual messages and recordings; statements from any pathologists regarding to Waqas Shah’s death; and any other information that could assist the investigation process.
The document goes on to explain the importance of making available comprehensive evidence so that a thorough and transparent investigation can be conducted by the British authorities. However, the letter warns against misrepresenting or tampering with original documents in addition to preserving all computers and equipment used originally for the recording of evidence.
