Pakistan seeks only legal action against MQM founder, no extradition

Pakistan has said that it will not seek the extradition of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain from Britain, but will pursue legal action against him for his recent provocative speech that led to violence in Karachi on August 22.

Islamabad said that on Monday, it would provide evidence against Hussain to the British Government. It ruled out Hussain's extradition as both nations don't have a treaty to do so, reports Geo TV.

It said that the British Government would be asked to take legal action against Hussain.

Scotland Yard is also conducting its own investigation in this regard and collecting evidence against the MQM founder.

Sources said that services of a legal council would also be taken, if required.

Reportedly, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan is in close contact with British authorities regarding the issue and the Interior Ministry is pushing UK's Home Department to take action against Hussain as provoking people to violence was also against British laws.

Member of Parliament for Bradford West Naz Shah has also asked the UK authorities to consider proscribing the MQM as a terrorist organisation because of MQM founder's incitement of violence, attacks on Pakistan's armed forces and the state of Pakistan itself.

Shah has also written to Scotland Yard chief Sir Bernard Hogan Howe and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

In her letter Shah asked the Scotland Yard to explain why the police have failed to take action against Hussain over his several speeches which incited violence in Pakistan.

The British authorities have also been investigating Hussain for money laundering after a huge pile of cash was recovered from his residence and office in London in December 2012.

He was arrested in June 2013 and released after questioning and was bailed six times since.

The riots by the MQM workers following Hussain's speech triggered a crackdown leading to the sealing of the party's headquarters Nine Zero, along with several other offices in the metropolis and elsewhere in Sindh.

Earlier today, a decision was taken to demolish 32 offices of the MQM located in different areas of the Karachi.

However, the party leadership in Karachi distanced itself from Hussain's anti-Pakistan comments and decided to strip him of organisational powers for an indefinite period.

Also, his senior aides, including Dr Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Nasreen Jalil and Amir Liaquat Hussain, disowned the all-powerful London office of the party.