Progress eludes JIT probing MQM links with RAW

Sarfraz Merchant says FIA hasn’t communicated any further; one-month deadline
set by Chaudhry Nisar expires in a week

LONDON: Nearly a month has gone by and there has been no progress in relation to the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by the Interior Ministry of Pakistan to extensively probe the issues raised by Scotland Yard in a document that was given to Sarfraz Merchant during an under caution interview in relation to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) alleged involvement with the Indian intelligence agency RAW and the money-laundering probe here.

The Interior Ministry of Pakistan constituted a JIT in the wake of evidence received by Sarfaraz Merchant from Scotland Yard in connection with the MQM related money-laundering investigation here which he revealed during an interview with Shahzeb Khanzada on Geo News.  Sarfraz Merchant said he has a paper given to him by Scotland Yard which said that the Scotland Yard’s counter terrorism command unit had “credible evidence” that the MQM took money from RAW – Scotland Yard has confirmed that the paper that Sarfraz Merchant has is a “police document”. Sarfraz Merchant has already handed over several papers to the FIA in Islamabad.

Following that, Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan ordered that a JIT be formed to “conduct a detailed probe on the allegations/accusations made by Scotland Yard in the leaked document pertaining to Altaf Hussain, Mohammad Anwar, Tariq Mir and others.

It was stated by the Interior Ministry at that time that “within a month the investigation will be finalised” but it looks like that the task will not be completed because over three weeks have passed and it looks like that the FIA has forgotten about the high-profile JIT which was tasked to end its finding within a month.

When approached by this correspondent, Sarfraz Merchant confirmed that he had not received the original request for cooperation by the FIA on 12th of April but he said only the notification appeared in the media and later in a press conference made by the Interior Minister. “No further correspondent from the FIA has been received. I had expressed my willingness that I will cooperate with the Pakistani authorities but I still await to hear from the FIA.”

 When asked how the investigation could be completed within a month when more than three weeks have passed, Merchant said it was not for him to comment and the question shall be directed to the FIA. He further commented that the government doesn’t seem keen going forward on this subject.

According to the notification, the five-member JIT was going to be headed by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director Mazharul Haq Kakakhel; one representative of Intelligence Bureau (IB); two representatives of ISI; and Raja tahir Iqbal of Pakistan Rangers Sindh.

The original JIT paper states that it will “probe the issue in detailed and holistic manner” to “examine the statement given by Mr Sarfraz Merchant to FIA in relation to the above mentioned accusation”. It said that the JIT may co-opt any other person or office if required for assistance and “may also seek assistance form any federal or provincial department during the course of its investigation”. The notice stressed that the “final report” will be submitted with recommendations within a month or earlier.  Merchant, who is one of the suspects in the MQM related money-laundering case, had broken silence about MQM’s alleged links with India on the basis of a police “briefing paper” given to him in relation to his own interview in relation to the money laundering probe.  Merchant to Shahzeb Khanzada that Scotland Yard in London had seized a list of weapons during raids at the MQM chief’s residence as part of the money-laundering investigation. Merchant, on April 4, recorded his statement with the FIA after arriving in Pakistan from UK and then also recorded his statement before the FIA authorities and submitted documentary evidence.