Action against Altaf begins in UK

British govt condemns August 22 Karachi violence; reference sent by Pakistan govt forwarded to police; authorities in Pakistan to be contacted if more evidence is required; interior ministry gets British govt’s response

Condemning the violence that broke out in Karachi on August 22, the British Home Office has confirmed that a reference sent by the Government of Pakistan against the London-based Altaf Hussain last month has been forwarded to the Metropolitan Police.

Violence broke out in the port city after Altaf delivered an anti-Pakistan speech to the party workers outside the Karachi Press Club. One person was killed and a number of people were injured.

The Interior Ministry on Saturday confirmed that it had received the British government’s response to the reference.

The Metropolitan Police will thoroughly analyze the reference and approach the Government of Pakistan, through its high commission in Islamabad, if more evidence was required.

In its communication to the Ministry of Interior, the British Home Office pointed out that the Metropolitan Police were totally independent and performed their duty on merit.

Meanwhile, on the orders of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a crackdown has been launched across Pakistan on serving as well as former officials of Nadra who had willfully helped aliens to get the Pakistani CNICs during the previous governments.

According to an official statement, the spokesperson for the interior ministry said cases had been registered against 18 Nadra officials.

He said eight officials had been arrested while raids were on to arrest the remaining 10 officials.

The spokesman quoted Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan as saying: “The matter of Pakistani CNICs is stitched with our national security and is of sensitive nature and we will ensure that the Nadra is cleansed from such officials who had willfully sold out Pakistan’s identity to aliens.”

He also thanked citizens and the media for their continued support for the ongoing CNIC re-verification drive.

Nisar observed it was for the first time in Pakistan’s history that around 1,700 aliens had returned their CNICs on voluntary basis which was rare in history.

He remarked that the CNIC re-verification drive would be completed well before the deadline time of six months.

Nisar pointed out that in the second phase, action would be taken against the rest of Nadra employees after Eid while in the third phase a comprehensive crackdown would be launched against those holding fake CNICs.

Azaz Syed adds: The reference-cum-complaint said Altaf violated the Pakistani, British and international laws and, therefore, the British government should take action against all those responsible for inciting the public to violence and creating a law and order situation in Pakistan.

“The British police are completely independent and fulfill their duties according to the British law,” said the British Home Office indirectly indicating that it was not being manipulated by any other state organ.

It is being suspected that the British police are apparently under the pressure of MI-6 to withhold any action against Altaf. The interior ministry spokesman avoided naming the British Home Office official or his designation.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is also investigating the Imran Farooq murder and money laundering cases, allegedly involving Altaf and other key MQM leaders, but the British government’s cold and very slow response has disappointed the agency.

Requesting anonymity, officials say the British government, particularly the Scotland Yard, seems least bothered about the above mentioned two cases as their response to the FIA queries was very slow.