The agency has obtained the evidence, along with a video regarding the massive amounts of funding the influential scholar and his party has received. PHOTO: AFP / FILE
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a formal probe against Dr Tahirul Qadri, head of Minhajul Quran International (MQI), after it obtained evidence relating to the source of the massive funding that has sustained his dharna in Islamabad since his dramatic arrival in Pakistan.
The agency obtained the evidence, along with a video regarding the massive amounts of funding the influential scholar and his party has received.
Sources familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune that after receiving directions from the ‘top level’, the FIA has started investigations into the source of the funding, including the vast scale media campaign and the long march turned sit-in that is into its third consecutive day.
The task has been assigned to the additional director-general FIA, who has started the probe and sought details from the State Bank of Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue and other concerned agencies. The FIA has also approached Hawala dealers who deal in remitting money from abroad through illegal means.
Sources said the FIA has also approached the Financial Management Unit. The scope of the investigation involves examining all suspicious transactions, including remittances channeled through the Hawala system and even through legal banking channels.
The probe has been launched on the basis of complaints, source reports and reports appearing in media outlets questioning the source of funding that has sustained the long march, sit-in and the advertisement campaigns aggressively launched in the print and electronic media involving millions of rupees on a daily basis.
The agency is also inquiring into violations of the Foreign Exchange Regulations allegedly committed by Dr Qadri and the MQI in Pakistan and abroad, as well as individuals who donated and remitted money via illegal channels.
Sources told The Express Tribune that the FIA could seek the help of the Special Branch of Punjab Police, Social Welfare Department Punjab, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and some other provincial and federal institutions to shed light on the funding both locally and internationally.
A joint-investigation team is likely to be constituted after receiving the required information. The available records with the FIA will also be scrutinised and examined, a top FIA official said on condition of anonymity.
The PPP-led federal government has also sought the Canadian government’s help regarding details of the NGO operating under the supervision of Dr Qadri in Canada, along with the manifesto and mandate of the NGO as well as its origin of funding.
In a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Greg Giokas on Monday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Giokas that the government might seek Ottawa’s help to uncover the origin of funding being spent by Dr Qadri in Pakistan. During the meeting, Malik said that MQI was a religious institution, but was being used for political purposes.
An official handout issued by the interior ministry stated that the interior minister expressed his apprehensions to the high commissioner that Pakistanis were questioning the funding. “Hence an inquiry has been ordered against him under the law of the land, and the government of Pakistan may seek the help of the Canadian Government in this respect within the parameters of international law,” the handout stated.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013.
COMMENTS (57)
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The whole world has been asking that same question! Where is he getting his money? Pakistan government asking. Ulama from Al Azhar Sharif are asking that question! Canada is now asking. This thief is in trouble!
I see Mr. Qadri pyaling a role for PPP regime. He's made people suffer alot at Jinnah Avenue. What he talked about people?
Pakistan should build a high walled city and all leaders be shifted there for life. Mr. Qadri to preach there. If Canadian Government have some objection Maula Diesel can be an alternative.
@Ricky: "...The generous Canadian laws for tax free religious organizations have been violated by a Canadian citizen..." . You must be an expert on Canadian Law.
Pakistani govt does not need to waste any time and money. The generous Canadian laws for tax free religious organizations have been violated by a Canadian citizen and they would move to prosecute this political animal in the garb of religion.
@Ali: Because, he wants an elected government to pack up before time .. 5 years will be completed on or around 18th Feb 2013 not before. He has no right to bring in a few thousand people and force his views and ask an elected government (good or bad) to resign which has a backing of MILLIONS of people who voted them in. If there is any thing wrong with this government then one must know in democracy people hold election to do accountability .. not come on street to decide fate of the whole country.
@Ali Zaid: We should keep religion and politics separate.
@Karim: Mr Qadri should first release his own tax returns and assets in both Canada and Pakistan.
@Ramski: This is good .you drew the line for people like Mr Qadri.
@YP, Mississauga: You are right
@Ali: Sudden appearance back to Pakistan after eight years. Toronto based mullah returned as politician.
@Iram: Keep all the issues separate. Yes, do investigate him also. But keep on investigating Mr Qadri. Always follow the trail of money. Remember , money and power makes the person corrupt.
There is always problem with these dual national. If you go after them and wants to arrest. They run away to their second country and the difficult to be caught.
@samra zulfiqar: Thanks to PPP government's amazing rule, there is no gas to heat water for warm showers :)
@Ali Mardan: where was our FIA when they were required to bomb blasts and killings..they arent able to track any agency down yet
If you really want to see how 'clean' money both main stream parties have, just read few pages of CAPITALISM’S ACHILLES HEEL Dirty Money and How to Renew the Free-Market System by RAYMOND W. BAKER One cahapter on our two 'beloved' main stream partieis and leaders puts enough light.
You will find probably all other cumulative would be pinch of salt in fron of these to BIG Brothers !!
@unbeliever: "Has anybody possibly tried to explore Mr Qadri’s relationship with Narendra Modi...." . ...and Salmon catching Grisly Bears in North Canada.
Thank you Syed Shah, thank you for being such an straight arrow! Love you for your following comments. More power to your sense of right & wrong!
Syed Shah "This is ridiculous. Shameful and that Tribune should carry such a story is most disappointing. Does not Tribune know what kind of people are governing the country? Shame on you Tribune. I know you won’t publish this but at least this yourself and pass it on to you editors and owners. Thanks."
He seems to be Rich and Bored.
This is ridiculous. Shameful and that Tribune should carry such a story is most disappointing. Does not Tribune know what kind of people are governing the country? Shame on you Tribune. I know you won't publish this but at least this yourself and pass it on to you editors and owners. Thanks.
While you're at it...also check up on those swiss accounts that have our money in it :)
Will they investigate how taliban and other extremist outfits get funding from arab countries? will they also ask arab countries to help in investigation? Irony!
And it would be THAT easy to secure the evidence of this so well planned and organized and intelligently executed march?
It is more important to find funding of the TTP and its curtailment even if it is receiving funds from a major Arab nation friendly to Pakistan. Dr Qadri as such is not connected to any militant organisation and his agenda is to bring improvement in political systems and progress in Pakistan.
Shoot the messenger but read his message! His message makes lot of sense.
Then Wt about Swiss accounts and corruptions made by the present Govt? why they are not investigated and culprits bring to justice. I must say that who ever shall raise voice against these corrupted people , will have to face such charges. May Allah help the innocent crowd of Long march and Dr. Tahir ul qadri. Ameen
With you Qadri sahab! Keep standing against Yazid, Obaidullah Ziad and Shimr of current era. Those who understand Islam can never stand behind and support corrupt leaders and failed-political system. You can name the current LOOT-MELA Government as democracy, but it isn't it actually
@Ali: To me this is a test - if the media goes against anyone - that person is on the right path. Media is going against Qadri because he has brought down their morning shows and advertisement income.
I dont know about his background but i second what he is saying
Dr. Qadri is demanding what Media, Politicians and we all have been asking for the past five years. Now they are against his bold move because they believe he will reap the ready fruit. What a pity all status qo parties are now one side and qadri on the other.
This is good work....i totally support this.....CHECK IT ALL .....THOROUGHLY
Doesn't he look like an elder brother of Zaid Hamid?
Black cap instead of a Red cap.
When will it stop? When will we stop allowing ourselves to be lead by manipulators and fiends who push forward in the name of Islam, in the name of the so called right, in the name of corruption and illegal means. Why are we investigating where he funded the long march from? Where did he fund his massive campaign from? Where did he fund the gaul to bring out women and children on the street, our country has got emotion and that's all that we have left. So as the back street boys would say (no pun intended) "Quit playing games with our hearts". Thank you now shoo your self loathing, god knows what preaching self back to the dark abyss you crept out of.
'FIA has also approached Hawala dealers' - So they are known entities and they carry on with there daily business with the approval of the government. Route out curruption in Pakistan and the whole of the nation will be behind YOU.
Since Qadriis playing politics in Pakistan, the Canadian Government should cancel his Canadian Passport. He should remain in Pakistan and fight his fight without draging Canada into his fight. If Canadians of Pakistani origin wants to support him financially, they should also return to pakistan and join him. We do not anyone with a foot in each country. If you cannot be Candian 100% please get out. We do not need citizens of convenience.
Wow... what an efficiency - the first and last of all.
Wow... what an efficiency - the first and last of all.
wow! in 5 years of Rehman Malik's FIA I have never seen them getting done with investigations this quick lol
I still dont get whey they aren't following the orders of SC, does this take precedent over SC's order?
Qadri sahb, its getting too cold and infectious for many women and children on "Tahrir Square" to continue. From the warmth and comfort of your bullet proof container, you can continue to deliver eloquent speeches for weeks but these people cannot take any more. Let them go home, have a warm shower and sleep with their blankets on.
govt should talk to qadri.............................
The amount spent on long march could have been spent for some noble cause. All this money is wasted. I suggest Tahir ul Qadri Sahib to please go back to Lahore or Canada. There is no common man in his long march. There are only members of Minhaj-ul-Quran. He should not use his madrassah for his political gains.
‘Evidence secured over Qadri’s source of funding’ As usual totally misleading heading, nothing of substance in the article.
Much ado about nothing! Not a single word about where the actual funding came from! Brilliant.
Where is the evidence?????????
Well done! Now please don't let it go. Make an example out of him so that no other drama like this happens again
Has FIA ever investigate the source of funding of PPP and PML ?
This is getting exciting. Grabs popcorn
At least say something of the currency amount, name of financiers, banks involved and hawalas, and what penalties he faces.
Please, remember that flight of capital through banks is possible only in limited quantities but unlimited in open market transactions.
Firstly, catch the exporters who continue to delay the repatriation of funds in the hope of an fall in PRs./ USD. exchange rate. This goes against the Foreign Exchange Act of 1947 and the SBP regulations.
Secondly, catch the tax dodgers and loan defaulters, for a start. Thanx and Salams for 2013
There would be opinions for and against the money Qadri is spending. One thing is for sure if he has a religious organization in Canada (tax free and other benefits) and indulging in politics he would lose his tax free status and could go to Canadian jail. It is ironic that some Pakistani leaders have never actually worked in their life and are not from rich families but live of other people's money in a luxurious lifestyle of billionaires. Like many politicians Qadri is a lifetime chief of his party while preaching against such rule. I bet nobody can name 5 leaders of his party, yet he is spending most money among all leaders. Canadian govt should look into his tax free finances which he is spending not on religious or charity but politics.
Why is every politician, media anchor, journalist, agencies against this guy???
No wonder FIA is unable to do it's job when its being involved into activities like these. Another gift of democracy.
We should not forget our "FIA" is under the command of Rahman Malik.
What about money laundering of Hussain Nwaz, dare to investigate?
Little childeren and young women are in miserable condition in Islamabad who have participated in so-called long march. Tahir-ul-Qadri is requested to please go back. He should not use women and childeren as a shield.