ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday called upon the British government to give Pakistan access to information regarding the BBC report on the alleged Indian assistance to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). He said that the sensitive disclosures made in the BBC report confirmed Pakistan’s suspicions about India’s involvement in Pakistan.The Pakistan government would write an official letter to the British government requesting it to give access to details relating to the disclosures made in the BBC report, Nisar said. Nisar said that intelligence agencies had in the past reported India’s interference inside Pakistan, adding that recent statements from the Indian leadership were a clear indication in this regard. He was talking to mediapersons after meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and British High Commissioner Philip Barton. He said that the BBC report and the Dr Imran Farooq murder case came under discussion during these meetings. The minister said that he invited High Commissioner Philip Barton and called for a thorough investigation into the BBC report that was a matter of significance for Pakistan’s security.The interior minister said that he had apprised the UK High Commissioner about Pakistan’s concerns regarding a BBC documentary that claimed India was funding MQM. “We have sought access to information from the UK government as once we get the access, the doors will start opening,” the interior minister said.He said that on the advice of high commissioner, government would write a letter to the UK to get cognisance of the facts. Revelations of the BBC report were cause of concern and there should be thorough investigation into the allegations, he said.Khan said the documentary had become significant for Pakistan in the wake of India’s confessions.The minister said that plenty of information had been shared with British government in Imran Farooq murder case. The interior minister also said during the meeting with the British High Commissioner, he asked the high commissioner for his government’s assistance in accessing details of the disclosures made in the BBC report. The high commissioner recommended that an official letter should be written from the government of Pakistan to the British government requesting access to details relating to the disclosures made in the BBC report, he added. The interior minister said that he would formally write to the UK government today (Friday) requesting Pakistani authorities’ access to key information in relation to the serious allegations leveled by the BBC against MQM. Ch Nisar went on to say that these allegations should not be used to malign MQM as a political party.“There are plenty of respectable senior politicians and patriotic individuals in MQM who have done a lot for Pakistan. I request all of you not to link these allegations to MQM voters or supporters,” said the interior minister. Replying to a question in a light mood regarding missing of necklace gifted by Turkish First Lady, the minister said, “The necklace has left Multan on foot and will reach Islamabad on Friday.” Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the interior ministry to thoroughly investigate the claims made in the BBC report pertaining to the MQM receiving funds from India, and sought an early report in this regard. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi met the premier at the Prime Minister House. During the meeting, the premier was apprised about the details of the BBC report. Nisar shared initial details of the report with the PM and said departments concerned of the interior ministry had been directed to investigate the matter. Muhammad Saleh Zaafir adds: The government decided to take up the reported funding of MQM by India and terror training of its workers by the Indian Army/RAW, in the bilateral as well international context with the government of United Kingdom since MQM chief Altaf Hussain is a British national. In accordance with the decision, Pakistan’s high commissioner for the United Kingdom will take up the matter with the British government formally today (Friday) and for the purpose he would approach the British Foreign Office at the earliest. The prime minister expressed dismay over the report and said that Pakistan wanted to have better ties with India but not at the cost of its dignity and security. He directed the interior ministry to investigate claims made in the BBC report.
