KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday sought reply from top officials of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a case pertaining to money laundering through Khidmat-e-Khalaq Foundation (KKF) and expressed annoyance at FIA team for its absence in the hearing.
The court expressed displeasure over the absence of FIA and remarked that FIA has set an example of negligence in an important case.
The court sought reply from FIA’s Additional Director General Bakhtiar Channa, Aijaz Shaikh and Mohammad Raees by April 19.
The FIA in its request had sought orders from the court for carrying out raids at Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM’s) offices and some banks for investigation of the money laundering case.
Despite the issuance of arrest warrants, the agency has not arrested any leader of MQM until now.
The court had issued arrest warrants of MQM founder Altaf Hussain, Tariq Mir, Nadeem Nusrat, Khawaja Suhail Mansoor, Rehan Mansoor and Babar Ghouri in money laundering case.
The agency had conducted inquiry against MQM leaders in 2017 for a transaction of 500,000 pounds through KKF.
The court directed FIA to submit its reply until next hearing scheduled for April 19 and issued warrants for MQM founder Altaf Hussain, and other party leaders.
It may be noted here that FIA had earlier seized 29 properties of the KKF – a welfare organisation of MQM, saying they were made by using extortion money.
The FIA had said the money collected through donations was being sent to London with the help of six different facilitators.
According to details, the properties made from black money found at Karachi’s Liaquatabad, F.B. Area, Surjani Town, Orangi Town, Rifa-e-Aam Society, Malir, Qasba Colony, Garden and Lyari areas. The plots in the name of KKF also found at Pak Colony, Napier Road, KCH Society, Ranchhore Lane areas of the metropolis. The KKF-owned plots were also found in Bahadarabad, Clifton, Gulistan-e-Johar, Buffer Zone and North Karachi areas.
The properties in the name of the charity wing of the MQM also found in outside Karachi including one property in Hyderabad and two plots in Khairpur city.
