KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday revealed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had received financial aid from India through its welfare wing, the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF).
The agency began an investigation against top brass of the political party and according to the preliminary report, the KKF was used to launder money.
In its preliminary report, the FIA stated that MQM founder Altaf Hussain had received funds through 13 joint bank accounts. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) current chief Dr Farooq Sattar, Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra and Mustafa Kamal were authorised to sign the cheques drawn on the bank accounts.
In addition, other members of the political party namely Rauf Siddiqui, Babar Ghauri, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Khawaja Sohail, Khawaja Rehan and Kunwar Younis were also trusted with the responsibility. More party members’ names might be added to the list as the investigation progresses, according to the investigation agency.
The accounts were opened in private banks in Azizabad area of Karachi under cover of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation, Sun Academy, Nazeer Hassan University and Tariq Mir. Of these 13 bank accounts, one has been closed, while four others are no longer operational.
The security agency also contacted revenue board, banks and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) regarding this matter.
Reportedly, the Foreign Ministry has also been asked to seek details of bank accounts of the party in Britain and the United Arab Emirates.
Vohra, a renegade MQM leader, had parted ways with Dr Farooq Sattar-led party and joined Pak Sarzameen Party. He also recorded his statement with FIA after he was asked to cooperate with the department regarding the investigation into money laundering accusations against the MQM.