Pakistan MQM chief Altaf held in London

London police have detained Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, on suspicion of money laundering.

Nadeem Nusrat, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) spokesman in London, has confirmed the arrest, reports BBC.

He has urged its supporters to maintain peace at all cost.

The 60-year-old man was detained from north-west London.

According to Geo News London correspondent Muratza Ali Shah, the MQM chief has been taken to the central London police station, The News reported.

Shootings have been reported from some parts of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, BBC said.

Traffic jams were reported in Karachi and other cities in Sindh province as businesses closed and people headed home fearing violence.

Quoting a man Tahir in the city, BBC reported that MQM supporters were firing in the streets and setting fire to any shop which remained open.

Hussain has lived in the UK since 1991.

Requested political asylum in UK in 1992, later gained British citizenship; continues to run MQM from north London.

He formed MQM party in 1984 to represent Mohajir’s descendants of Urdu-speaking Muslims who migrated from India to Pakistan.

Source: Dhaka Tribune