Interpol says won't issue red warrant against MQM founder Altaf Hussain

Interpol has refused to issue a red warrant against Muttahida Qami Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, saying it does not intervene in political and religious matters of a state.

The Dawn quoted the interior ministry, as saying that Interpol has sought a clarification from the government over the request for issuance of the red warrant against Hussain and details of the sedition charges against him.

The Interpol communication is reportedly being examined at the highest level and would be responded to over the next two weeks, the ministry said.

An Interpol notice is an international alert circulated to communicate information about crimes, criminals and threats from police in a member state or an authorised international entity to their counterparts around the world.

The information disseminated via notices concerns individuals wanted for serious crimes, missing persons, unidentified bodies, possible threats, prison escapes and criminals' modus operandi.

There are eight types of notices, seven of which are colour-coded by their function: red, blue, green, yellow, black, orange and purple. The most well-known is the red notice which is the closest instrument to an international arrest warrant in use today. The eighth - special notice - is issued at the request of the United Nations Security Council.