Britain looking into reference against Altaf Hussain: Drew

UK High commissioner holds meetings with Nisar, Khursheed

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Thomas Drew on Wednesday informed two key political leaders that London was looking into a reference sent by Pakistani authorities against Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain.



Drew held separate meetings with the Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields were discussed in the meetings.

According to sources, the British High Commissioner informed the Interior Minister about progress in ongoing investigations into the issue of MQM supremo Altaf Hussain.

On Tuesday, Pakistan had formally sent a reference to the British government against Altaf Hussain – more than a week after his telephone speech stirred up rioting in Karachi.



Through reference and evidences, Pakistan had asked London to initiate legal action against those responsible for inciting people to violence in Pakistan. Sources claimed that the British High Commissioner also informed Chaudhry Nisar that London police had initiated investigations into the case and soon the reference and all other evidence shared by Pakistan would be provided to police for a free and fair investigation into the matter.

The federal Interior Minister told the High Commissioner that Pakistan was looking forward to a positive response from the UK and that both countries would resolve the case while adopting legal course of action and respecting each other’s country laws.



The British High Commissioner assured the Interior Minister that Altaf Hussain’s case would be resolved as per law.

Meanwhile, Khurshid Shah told the media following his meeting with the UK envoy that London had received the reference and investigations would soon be started into it. He said he had told the High Commissioner that London should play its due role for solving the Kashmir issue in accordance with the United Nations’ resolution.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2016.