MQM founder Altaf Hussain arrested in London

London: MQM founder Altaf Hussain has been arrested in  a raid at his residence in London.

According to Geo News,  over a dozen police officers carried out the raid  at Hussain's residence.

Metropolitan Police

UK's Metropolitan Police has issued a statement after saying a man has  been arrested in connection with an investigation into a number of speeches made by an individual associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Pakistan.

"The man, who is aged in his 60s, was arrested at an address in north west London. He was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting offences contrary to Section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007," the police said without naming the MQM founder.

It said he was detained under PACE and taken to a south London police station, where he currently remains in police custody.

"As part of the investigation, officers are carrying out a search at the north west London address. Detectives are also searching a separate commercial address in north west London.

The investigation, which is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, is focused on a speech broadcast in August 2016 by an individual associated with the MQM movement in Pakistan as well as other speeches previously broadcast by the same person.

Throughout the investigation, officers have been liaising with Pakistani authorities in relation to our ongoing enquiries."

Geo TV reported that 15 officers of London police officers also searched  house of the MQM founder after taking him into custody.

Our correspondent said Altaf Hussain has  been arrested on Pakistan's  complaints .

According to unconfirmed reports, he was  arrested for his hate speech  which he delivered in  Pakistan via telephone in 2016.

 He was accused of inciting people to violence through his telephonic speeches. 

The MQM had faced a crackdown after Altaf Hussain's August 22 speech  that led to attacks on TV stations  and violent protests.

He  was also accused of threatening senior military officials in his speeches. 

Meanwhile, our correspondent in Islamabad said  authorities have confirmed that Altaf  Hussain has been arrested on complaints registered by Pakistan.