Fresh evidence provided against Altaf Hussain in money laundering case

'According to UK law, if new evidence comes up, police have to begin new investigations” says Barrister Zeeshan

Businessperson Sarfaraz Merchant, key person in opening the money laundering cases against Altaf Hussain, has yet again become instrumental by providing fresh evidence to Scotland Yard related to money laundering cases registered against the MQM-London chief.

Merchant told the BBC that through his lawyers he has contacted the London Metropolitan police and filed an FIR and handed over evidence against Altaf Hussain, requesting the police to begin an investigation in light of the new evidence.

Following the correspondence, BBC contacted the London Metropolitan police but no response has been received yet.



Barrister Zeeshan Miyan told BBC Urdu that ‘if fresh evidence has been provided to the Met, then they will have to begin the investigation’.

“According to British law, if something new comes up in the cases dealt at civil court, the police have to begin fresh investigations” he said.

Earlier, on the request of the Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) a money laundering case was lodged against Altaf. According to the case the crime has taken place in Britain and in Pakistan.

Merchant said that he has presented significant evidence to FIA and hopes that they will correspond the information to British authorities as well.

It should be noted that there exists no agreement on transfer/exchange of the accused between Pakistan and Britain which is why, in the investigation of cases against Altaf Hussain, an exchange of information has been taking place between both the countries.



An official of the Pakistan’s embassy in the UK, on condition of anonymity, told BBC that Altaf Hussain was the reason for Pakistan's deteriorating relations with the United Kingdom.

“Due to Altaf Hussain, relations between Pakistan and Britain are suffering,” he said.

According to the official, the government of Pakistan has always assisted the British government on this issue, and will continue to do so, even "during the previous meeting between civilian and security officials of both countries, Altaf Hussain’s issue has been the highlight".

Back in 2012, Scotland Yard raided MQM-London’s Secretariat along with Altaf Hussain’s residence recovering money in cash after which the money laundering investigation against Altaf Hussain and MQM-London members began.

Due to lack of evidence, however, the police were forced bring their investigation to a close.

This story originally appeared on BBC Urdu