Sharif directs interior ministry to probe BBC report on MQM

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday directed the interior ministry to thoroughly investigate claims made in a BBC report about the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) receiving funding from India, and sought an early report.

Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan and special assistant to Sharif on national security and foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi met the premier at the Prime Minister's House here, Dawn reported.

During the meeting, the premier was apprised about the details of the BBC report. Nisar shared initial details of the report with Sharif and said concerned departments of the interior ministry have been directed to investigate the matter.

On Wednesday, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a documentary, alleging that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has received funding from Indian authorities.

The report also states that Britain authorities investigating MQM for alleged money laundering and also found a list of weapons on MQM property.

However, MQM leader Wasay Jalil rejected the allegations and termed the story as baseless.

Earlier in May, a senior police official, Rao Anwar, claimed to have arrested two MQM workers allegedly trained by Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing and demanded that the MQM be banned for being "a terrorist party".

In July 2013, the BBC Two programme "Newsnight", hosted by Owen Benett Jones, reported that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain was being investigated for money laundering of about $629,000 (3.99 million pounds) as well as for incitement to violence.

The report also included video clips of Hussain making violent statements after the assassination of party leader Imran Farooq.