Summary Foreign Office says government is ready to extend all possible legal assistance to the MQM chief.
LONDON (Dunya News) – Doctors have received angiography report of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain. The doctors say health of the MQM chief is satisfactory.
On the other hand, Foreign Office has said Pakistan government is ready to extend all possible legal assistance to MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson, Tasnim Aslam, while briefing the media in Islamabad on Friday, said Altaf Hussain and his legal team has not yet contacted Pakistan government for any assistance. She said the government even does not know the charges framed against the MQM chief.
The spokesperson said Pakistan’s acting high commissioner in London held a 20-minute meeting with the MQM Chief on Thursday and conveyed Prime Minister Sharif’s goodwill message to Altaf Hussain.
Aslam said the Foreign Office will also act according to the directions of the government in case Altaf Hussain wants any assistance or intends to return to Pakistan.
To a question regarding issuance of a passport and a national identity card to Hussain, the spokesperson said the required documents have not been provided for this purpose as yet. As soon as the required documents are received the processing will be started, Tasnim said.
Meanwhile, MQM workers continue to hold sit-ins in various cities to express solidarity with their party chief. The workers of MQM are also observing ‘Yaum-e-Dua’ today (Friday) for the early recovery of Altaf Hussain.
Altaf Hussain, who is under treatment at a London hospital after his arrest on money laundering charges, asked his party workers and well wishers to pray for his health.
Senior MQM leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui read out a message from the party chief who directed all the workers to continue their peaceful struggle and maintain unity among their ranks.
Earlier on Thursday, MQM leader Farooq Sattar while talking to media, said the life in Karachi will continue as normal. He said that Altaf Hussain is still receiving treatment in hospital, adding that the doctors performed some medical exams on MQM chief. He said that people of Karachi are worried for MQM chief and that a decision will be made in next few hours.
MQM leader said that Altaf Hussain also met his 11-year-old daughter. He said that the party will take the necessary legal measures. Sattar said that the most important thing for MQM is Altaf Hussain’s health and life.
He said that the sit-in protests will continue until the assurance of Hussain’s health is received. He thanked traders and transporters for showing solidarity with MQM Chief, and said that the traders should now open their shops and resume the normal business activities.
Meanwhile, Widow of slain Dr Imran Farooq, Shumaila Imran strongly condemned the arrest of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain. She said she was severely upset at the news, hoping that the British police will not harass Hussain
Shumaila Imran Farooq said that Altaf Hussain has always been affectionate and kind to her, adding that MQM workers wouldn’t be what they are if it wasn’t for the MQM Chief. She said that negative propaganda is being carried out against Altaf Hussain.
She added that she has been visiting party’s London International Secretariat for the past three days to inquire about MQM chief’s health. She said that her children are also worried for ‘grandfather’.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain was arrested three days back in London on the charges of money-laundering.
Metropolitan Police of London had started money laundering probe against Altaf Hussain after they recovered some 250,000 pound sterling from his house, whose source could not be ascertained. The raid was conducted during the investigation of Imran Farooq murder case.
