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Karachi in lockdown after Altaf arrested in London
* British police says a 60-year-old man arrested on suspicion of money-laundering; escorted to a pre-arranged hospital appointment in custodyKARACHI/ISLAMABAD: MQM chief Altaf Hussain was arrested in London Tuesday on suspicion of money-laundering as thousands of people in his home city of Karachi staged a sit-in calling for his release.Hussain’s arrest, confirmed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) officials in London, has sparked fears of a major backlash there.British police said only that a 60-year-old man had been detained at a residential address in northwest London on suspicion of money-laundering, and that officers were searching the building.A spokesman said the man was escorted to a pre-arranged hospital appointment during the day and remained in custody late on Tuesday.A few hours later, the MQM announced a major protest and said they would block the city’s main MA Jinnah thoroughfare until Hussain’s release.“Everyone should come to endorse his or her love and solidarity to Altaf Hussain,” said Haider Abbas Rizvi, a senior party official.Around 4,000 people had reached the Numaish Chowrangi intersection by 8:00 pm according to an AFP reporter at the scene, with many more expected to join them.Panic had earlier gripped the sprawling metropolis of 20 million soon after local television broadcast the news. Angry protesters torched at least a dozen vehicles, according to officials.Many residents rushed to stock up on groceries in anticipation of a prolonged shutdown, while office workers left for home early, clogging up roads.“All shops and markets are shut. Even small cigarette shops are closed,” Mohammad Moosa, a resident of Karachi, told Reuters. “Petrol station operators have also closed down, fearing violence.”British officials said they had temporarily closed their deputy high commission in Karachi, as police strengthened security in the city’s diplomatic enclave.“We have tightened the security of the consulates, especially of the British,” said city police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo.The Karachi Stock Exchange meanwhile plunged three percent on the news, from 29,784 points to 29,009 points, while train services were halted.After initially denying their leader had been arrested, the MQM’s office in London issued a brief statement confirming he had been taken to a police station.The statement said the party “can now confirm that founder and leader of MQM Mr Altaf Hussain has been taken to the police station where the police doctor will examine his health and decide if Mr Hussain is fit to be interviewed”.“While these inquiries are taking place, the party leadership calls for calm from our millions of party members and supporters in Pakistan and across the world,” spokesman Nadeem Nusrat said in a statement.“The party is prepared to assist the British police with all of their enquiries as neither Mr Altaf Hussain nor the party have anything to hide.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk