KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain was released on bail four days after he was arrested on the suspicion of money laundering by the London Metropolitan Police.
Soon after he was released, he addressed his party lawmakers and workers who were participating in a sit-in protest at Numaish Chowrangi against their leader’s arrest in London in a telephonic address.
Hussain congratulated the participants of the sit-in protest for their passion and commitment, adding that truth must always be spoken.
The MQM chief said he remained patient throughout his recent ordeal and did not beg for his freedom. He further said that we know how to stand up to oppression.
The exiled leader of MQM also thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari. He also expressed his gratitude for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) condemning his arrest and also thanked Tahirul Qadri, Chaudhry Shujaat and Pervez Musharraf.
Hussain said: “I salute those who participated in the sit-in protest against my arrest. I will continue to fight for the truth until my last breath. I respect the British law and have complete trust in the British judicial system. I am prepared to go to jail for a refresher course.”
He admitted that the prime minister had played a positive role in the matter.
He expressed his determination that, if necessary, he would be prepared to sacrifice his life for truth.
Hussain also thanked traders, transporters, scholars and artists for supporting the MQM during the difficult time. He also announced forgiveness for all former colleagues who were angry.
The MQM chief directed his supporters to end their protests and ended his speech by praying for Pakistan’s deliverance from all internal and external dangers.
Hussain was arrested in London four days ago on suspicion of money laundering. He was, then, shifted to the Wellington Hospital over concerns to his health and underwent angiographyand other tests.
Having been discharged from the hospital, Hussain was taken to the Southwark police station where he was questioned for nine hours.
His bail application was accepted and he was released on bail early on Saturday.
Police source were quoted as saying that the 60-year-old, who had been detained for interrogation over money laundering suspicions, was released on a personal bail without any charges framed with the condition that he would appear before authorities whenever required.
A large number MQM activists along with party leaders Rauf Siddiqui, Babar Ghauri, Farogh Naseem and MPA Khawaja Izharul Hassan were present outside the police station waiting to welcome their party leader over his release on bail.
The London Metropolitan Police had shifted Altaf Hussain to the police station earlier after he was discharged from the hospital,where he was interrogated for by police for nine hours in the presence of his lawyers.
Upon his release Mr Hussain was expected to reach the party’s international secretariat to address his supporters, who have been staging protests in urban Sindh, particularly at Karachi’s Numaish Chowk, ever since his arrest four days ago.
Earlier, Metropolitan police released Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain after interviewing him here at Southwark Police Station.
The MQM supremo is expected to address via telephone his party workers and supporters who have been staging a sit-in at Numaish Chowrangi, Karachi since the day of his arrest.
Earlier, Altaf Hussain was taken to the police station from hospital where his medical reports were said to be clear.
The MQM Chief, who has remained in self-imposed exile in UK since 1991, was arrested Tuesday morning at his residence in London on charges of money laundering.
The police then brought the 60-year leader to the Wellington Hospital for his health condition and where he went through several medical tests whose reports showed normal results.