Allegations against MQM: Nisar invites Kamal to share evidence

Interior minister says Karachi ex-mayor’s words not enough

ISLAMABAD:

Brushing aside the recent ‘revelations’ of former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal, the security czar has invited people to share documentary evidence of wrongdoings against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leadership.

“There was nothing new in his [Kamal’s] press conference; just words and no evidence,” said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar on Saturday while referring to the explosive allegations of Kamal against MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

He also invited Kamal to share documentary evidence with the investigation committees, which are already looking into related cases in Pakistan.

Speaking at a news conference at the Punjab House, Nisar expressed displeasure over the criticism of the government for keeping its silence on the issue, saying it was not necessary to respond to any statements.

An investigation committee formed to probe into the allegations of Karachi-based trader Sarfraz Merchant against the MQM has already submitted its report, he said.

The investigators want to interview Merchant, who is among the suspects in the ongoing money-laundering case against the MQM leadership in London. The man, who is a close friend of MQM’s senior leader Muhammad Anwar, claims Scotland Yard had told him the political party had been receiving funds from India.



Nisar said Merchant would be requested to come to Pakistan and share evidence with the inquiry committee. If he insists on giving the interview in London, then Islamabad will request the British government to allow the team to visit London to interview him.

The minister also claimed credit for starting the investigation of the money-laundering case which the previous PPP-led government could not. He said two persons, one of them a bank manager who opened the account which was allegedly used to transfer money, have already been arrested.

He, however, assured all stakeholders, including the MQM, everything would be done in accordance with the law, and the government would not use the case to gain leverage.

Nisar added two committees were already working to investigate the case with one under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the other being jointly investigated by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and FIA.

“We did share sensitive information with the British government regarding [former MQM convener] Dr Imran Farooq’s murder but I am a bit disappointed over the pace of investigation in the case in the UK,” the minister said. “I have also shared my thoughts with the British authorities.”

He also admitted the money laundering case may not proceed further without the cooperation of authorities in Dubai and London.

World T20 in India

About the upcoming visit of Pakistani cricket team to India for the World T20 tournament, the interior minister said a security team would depart for India on Monday to assess the Indian safety protocols in place for the Pakistani team.

If the team presents a positive report, only then the cricket team would leave for India on Wednesday as per schedule otherwise its departure may be delayed due to security concerns, he said.

Nisar said he had asked the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman to wait until security clearance. “We want to ensure the safety of our team and there are reports that different extremist groups in India are threatening the Pakistani team. We are taking these threats very seriously.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2016.