Nazia Nazar
A week before the start of Ramadan, MQM declared that it would collect zakat and fitra under the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation to undermine the administration, which said that a political party cannot collect fitra and zakat. In the past, MQM had been collecting funds through extortion, sacrificial hides, fitra, zakat, and was involved in corruption in government departments (while being in government). This money was sent through three means to UK. For one, foreign currency accounts were opened and dollars were deposited in those accounts as money could be withdrawn from foreign currency accounts anywhere in the world. Secondly, carriers were used for laundering of money abroad, and it was alleged that individuals such as Babar Ghori used to transfer money in their personal luggage. Thirdly, money was also sent through sea launches, and routes used for such purpose were Karachi to UAE and then to United Kingdom.
Due to ongoing Karachi operation, the MQM is facing severe problems in collection of funds and its reserves are said to have been almost depleted. In order to counter any adverse move from Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), MQM has decided to collect money during this Ramadan. MNA’s/MPA’s will be tasked to go in their areas for zakat/fitra and donation collection instead of using MQM workers or Sector In-charge. Ladies will also be employed for the purpose of collection of donation/zakat/fitra. Mill owners will also be persuaded to donate. Money laundering and other links of MQM with RAW are being dealt by London-based persons of the party including Altaf Hussain, Muhammad Anwar and late Imran Farooq. Anyhow, for years criminals and all sorts of mafia had become active and plunged the city into fear of gloom.
Why the crazy power players in their no-holds-barred fight to conquer the port city were doing all this to the harried residents who had no other wish except getting on with their lives for the weal and welfare of their families and their kith and kin? Perceptibly, the underworld, with which they all have their links, notwithstanding their unconvincing denials, had gained upper-hand in the city, reducing them all into irrelevancies considerably. Last year, the law-enforcement agencies had arrested 129 suspects, including 16 MQM workers, for allegedly collecting fitra forcibly. A heavy contingent of rangers had raided the party’s Nazimabad Gulbahar sector situated in Rizvia Society and arrested 16 party workers. The Rangers had also taken away the documents, receipts of zakat and titra and other office items.
Investigation is being carried out against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain by London Metropolitan Police on charges of money laundering and provocation to torture and life threats to his opponents. Police had seized 400,000 sterling pounds from Altaf Hussain’s residence and office. The investigation into former MQM leader Imran Farooq’s murder is also underway. It appears that this time round, MQM is in serious trouble. Following the ISPR’s sharp reaction to MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s fiery speech last year, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued show-cause notices to 14 private TV channels and barred all channels from airing inflammatory content. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had also written to Pemra, asking the regulator not to allow the live broadcast of “hate speech” by political leaders. Of course, these orders are being implemented in letter and spirit.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) stood totally isolated after the BBC report that leveled grave allegations on it of getting Indian funding and training, as every political party wanted detailed investigations into the case. Some of the diehard adversaries of the MQM, which was never under such enormous pressure as it was this time round, treating the contents of the BBC report as a good opportunity to settle scores with Altaf Hussain and are also trying to avenge the electoral beating they have been receiving from it in Karachi. They think it is good time to make a bid to squeeze space in the mega city. Former president and co-chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari, who had at times expressed solidarity with the MQM when it faced tough challenges was also mum over the damning report.
Like before, the statements made by top government leaders give an idea that they mean business. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed authorities to thoroughly investigate the allegations. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said there would be real probe, and no eyewash, into the serious charge as it was not 90s; if it is proved that MQM got funding from India then there will not be any difference between India and MQM. Imran Khan had gone further and said that this was an issue of treason. “This is a case of treason, which centers on the MQM for receiving funding and training of Indian spy agency. This is a serious allegation. If, after the BBC report, the MQM failed to file defamation case against the broadcaster it might mean that the violence in Karachi could have been carried out on the directives of RAW.”
Whilst under investigation by the London Metropolitan police, Altaf Hussain was also charged with money laundering and hate-speech, which had led to his arrest on 3 July 2013 where the police raided his house and seized approximately £1 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He was interrogated on 4 July 2013 for seven hours in connection with the money laundering case.
On 3rd June 2014, Altaf Hussain was again arrested by the police on charges of money laundering. He was later released on bail on 6 June 2014, after he had been questioned thoroughly. The London Metropolitan Police had informed Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain that his bail conditions, in an ongoing money laundering probe, had been removed as there was insufficient evidence to bring a criminal charge against him. There is a perception that Britain has some ulterior motives in delaying finalization of the investigations.
