MQM in the line of fire

An open court hearing took place on Friday at West London Magistrates’ Court about the money seized during raids on Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) office and residence of its chief Altaf Hussain. Sarfraz Merchant appeared before the court along with his team of lawyers. MQM’s lawyers also attend the hearing on behalf of Altaf Hussain, Tariq Mir, Sarfraz Ahmed and Iftikhar Quraishi. London Metropolitan Police’s counsel told the court that probe into the money-laundering case was going on; therefore the cash seized from the buildings associated with MQM was subject to further investigation. After a short and long hiatuses, MQM makes headlines; and nowadays it is very much in the news. Member of the British Parliament Naz Shah told in an interview with private TV channel told the anchorperson that she asked the head of London Metropolitan Police some hard questions.
In fact, she exposed the MQM’s vile acts, and referred to withdrawing bail conditions of 6 members of the MQM, who had been investigated for money laundering. She reminded the Bernard that “a British judge, Lord Bannatyne in 2010 had given observation that the MQM had killed over 200 police officers who stood up to them in Karachi; that the US authorities have declared the MQM to be a Tier-III terrorist organization. A receipt was found for purchase of materials during the raid that could be used to manufacture weapons including grenades and bomb-making equipment. And members of the House of Lords have told the BBC that criticising the MQM risks their lives and puts their children at risk.” Commissioner London Metropolitan Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe replied that the British investigators would continue to probe into the money-laundering allegations.
Anyhow, there is perception that MI6 supports the MQM, and even British government considers Altaf Hussain an asset to be used if need arises to destabilize Pakistan. On 1st February 2016, the London Metropolitan Police had informed Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain that his and his party members’ bail conditions in an ongoing money laundering probe had been removed, as there was insufficient evidence to bring a criminal charge against him at the time of writing. Secondly, they are not required to personally appear before the court, which is a tremendous concession. This is outrageous, as an important leader of the MQM Tariq Mir had admitted that the party received funds from India. What sort of evidence they need which can stand in the court of law. It was in December 2012 that the Metropolitan Police had first conducted a raid at MQM’s office followed by another raid in June 2013 at Altaf’s residence.
According to the BBC, the police had recovered 400,000 pounds from his house. Apart from the money laundering case, the Metropolitan Police sources had confirmed thousands of calls from Pakistanis over Altaf Hussain’s incitement of violence against protesters, and threats to break up Pakistan. UK High Commissioner to Pakistan had said: “Under British laws promoting hatred and violence is liable to punishment and Altaf Hussain’s statements must be taken seriously.” Since 1978 All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organization (APMSO) and Muhajir Qaumi Movement later rechristened as Muttahida Qaumi Movemement (MQM) have been accused of heinous crimes including murder, extortion, torture, target killings and kidnappings. In a court case in March 2014 in Pennsylvania it was revealed that a member of MQM was found to be inadmissible on the grounds that MQM was classed as “Tier 3 terrorist organization”. In 2006, the Federal Court of Canada had declared the MQM as a terrorist organization, not allowing party members to visit and stay in Canada, and considered it a serious security threat to Canada. The Court said the MQM was engaged in the harassment of opponents and used the proceeds of crime to fund the party. In 2009, the US Consul General in Karachi Stephen Fakan had revealed that MQM has a militant group named Good Friends with the strength of thousands of activists. The investigation into former MQM leader Imran Farooq’s murder is also underway. He has been using foul language against institutions; and following the ISPR’s sharp reaction to MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s fiery speech, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had issued show-cause notices to 14 private TV channels and barred all channels from airing inflammatory content.
In September 2015, the Lahore High Court had directed the PEMRA to implement a ban on the broadcast of images and speeches of MQM chief Altaf Hussain across all electronic and print media till further orders. Anyhow, MQM is well-entrenched, as it was in coalition with the PPP in federal cabinet and Sindh cabinet many a time, and once in coalition with the PML-N government. MQM had thrived during Zia’s Martial Law as well as during Musharraf era. In fact, Altaf Hussain is a master strategist; he knows how to sail with the winds and turn the tide to his advantage. Of course, after a military rule, it has always been a change of dress from the khaki to civilian robes, but the power dispensation stays elitist, privileged and autocratic. The people remain denied and deprived; however, the MQM continued to get its share of the cake.