LONDON: Sarfraz Merchant, a former associate of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chairman Altaf Hussain has alleged that Karachi Deputy Mayor Arshad Vohra, who switched over his loyalties to Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) a few days back, was involved in money-laundering for the MQM and Scotland Yard had repeatedly sent him requests to visit London for interviews which he ignored and refrained from entering London while the investigation was ongoing.
He further claimed that Farooq Sattar and some leaders of PSP are still in contact with the MQM-London.
According to Merchant, Vohra had sought shelter with the PSP to get relief in the money-laundering FIR that has been registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Karachi on his complaint. He said, “It’s unethical that Vohra has jumped ship and seeking to get ‘dry-cleaned’ to subvert the course of justice. This happened after I registered the FIR.”
Sarfraz who divides his time between London and Karachi said that money transferred to the UK either by banks or Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) was generated from the bank account of Arshad Vohra and bank statements serve as proof.
Merchant said that he has provided all the necessary evidence to the FIA and that is the basis of the investigation.
He further alleged said that several MQM-Pakistan leaders were involved in money-laundering and used their personal bank accounts for this purpose. He claimed that the transfer of money continued after the MQM founder’s August 22 speech last year. He said bills of London office and fees of lawyers were being paid from Pakistan.
Farooq Sattar was also in the list of those involved in sending money to London. However, Sattar has denied the allegation in a press conference but agreed that Vohra quit MQM after the FIR was registered.
Sarfraz Merchant said he was the only one who challenged British courts over his arrest in the money-laundering case linked to the MQM founder.
“My hands were clean. I challenged Scotland Yard in court for being arrested on money-laundering suspicion. I spent thousands of pounds to take police to the court to prove that I have been wrongly accused of a crime which I did not commit. I also disclosed the truth that was related to the economy and security of Pakistan before courts. I was cleared by the police because my money was clean,” he said.
Furthermore, Merchant regretted donating money to MQM. “I have been involved with the MQM, and I have been donating money to the MQM, but I admit that publicly and I am regretful. I was living under illusions at that time and what I did was wrong, but I am not trying to dry-clean myself.”
Merchant said he will continue to cooperate with the FIA and investigation agencies in the money-laundering case. He has hired a lawyer in London who is dealing with the money-laundering FIR registered in Karachi and currently liaising with the Scotland Yard.