An MQM supporter holds a poster of Altaf Hussain at a gathering in Karachi to show solidarity with their leader. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan requested British authorities on Wednesday to provide consular access to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, who is currently under the custody of London police over money laundering charges.
"Following instruction from the prime minister, we have requested the British government to provide consular access to Altaf Hussain," foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told The Express Tribune here on Wednesday.
She said the request was forwarded through Pakistan's High Commission in London. However, Tasnim said British authorities had not yet responded to Pakistan’s request.
Atlaf was arrested on Tuesday from his house in North London over charges of money laundering.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured the MQM that the government will provide any possible legal assistance. MQM senior leader Farooq Sattar has urged the government to take up the matter with British authorities to ensure the 'well being of Altaf Hussain.'
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Why Prime Minister is interfering in UK's internal matters. Mr.Hussain is a British subject and will be treated as such, they will treat him better than Pakistani legal system will. If Nawaz Sharif is currying favors with MQM, he should use his own personal bank account in London,(which he does) to facilitate Mr.Hussain for what ever reasons. The State of Pakistan must not encourage, abet or defend any illegal activities of ex-citizens abroad specially when the subject is not even their citizen. By the way Mr. Hussain has declared his permanent address on his British passport as in India, not Pakistan where he was born, I don't hear any one in India expressing sympathies. Sympathies for alleged criminals is just mind boggling.
Now please don't start asking that he should be repatriated back to pakistan. He has chosen British citizen of his own free will. Committed crimes there so he should man up and face the music there.