KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, who is currently being held by London Police on charges of money-laundering, urged his followers and party workers late on Wednesday night to remain peaceful and not to take the law into their own hands.

Speaking to MQM’s international secretariat in London over telephone, he advised the party activists and sympathisers to show courage and remain peaceful.

Hussain also apprised the party members of his health.

“I have never disappointed the nation in the past nor will I do so in the future,” said Hussain, adding that the current circumstances were not new and that he has faced tough times before as well.

The MQM chief vowed to continue his struggle for the party cause and said that he was still indomitable.

Rabita Committee’s senior deputy convener Nadeem Nusrat, party members and office bearers and a large number of activists were present on the occasion.

The party workers in London, Karachi and elsewhere expressed their joy upon hearing the voice of their leader.

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Meanwhile, upon conclusion of an emergency meeting by the MQM’s Rabita Committee in London, the party has appealed to traders and transporters in Karachi and other cities and towns of Sindh to resume their businesses. However, it added that ongoing sit-ins across the country would continue.

The party also urged the workers and symphatisers to attend the main Numaish Chowrangi sit-in with same spirit they have shown so far.

Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan also visited the sit-in at Karachi's Numaish and assured the MQM protesters that everything would be done for the well being of Altaf Hussain.

He thanked all political leaders including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for extending help to the MQM chief.

The MQM chief was arrested by the Bitish police on Tuesday on suspicion of money-laundering. He was arrested in northwest London where he has been living in self-imposed exile since 1992.

Thousands of Altaf Hussain’s supporters continued the sit-in protest on second day on Wednesday.

“The people of Sindh still see Altaf Hussain as their leader,” said MQM leader Nasir Jamal.

“The thrust of this protest is the release of Altaf Hussain. We are here until we see positive indications from London.”

The ability of Hussain's supporters to shut down Pakistan's commercial hub for two days underscores his influence and many fear that riots might still erupt. But as of Wednesday evening no major acts of violence had been reported.

A spokesman for London police said Hussain remained in custody where he is being questioned on suspicion of money laundering.

“By this evening we will probably know if he's going to be charged or released,” the spokesman said.