MQM founder Altaf Hussain released on bail

Self-exiled leader asked to report to police authorities in mid-July

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, who was arrested by Metropolitan Police in London on Tuesday over charges of provocative speeches, has been released on bail.

“A man in his 60s arrested in connection with an investigation into a number of speeches made by an individual associated with the MQM in Pakistan has today, Wednesday, 12 June been bailed," said an official statement issued by Met police on Wednesday.

Man arrested in relation to speeches bailed https://t.co/ehqlzCPKMu pic.twitter.com/6yc0n87TUo

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 12, 2019

The self-exiled leader will have to report to the police authorities in mid-July, according to the press release.

Altaf was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting offences contrary to Section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007.

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As part of the investigation, police officers also carried out a search at the north west London address and at a separate commercial address in north west London.

"The investigation, which is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, is focused on a speech broadcast in August 2016 by an individual associated with the MQM movement in Pakistan as well as other speeches previously broadcast by the same person", read the official communique.

The MQM founder, who is also wanted by Pakistani authorities in number of cases, had delivered the fiery speech via telephone to a party gathering outside the Karachi Press Club on August 22, 2016 after which party workers chanted anti-Pakistan slogans and vandalised a media office nearby.