Speaking to the media, MQM leader Iftikhar Alam said the suspect appeared to be of Afghan or Uzbek descent and could not speak Urdu.

Alam added that despite the language barrier, the suspect had managed to convey an offer of USD 100,000 for his release.

He alleged that the man was scouting the area for a possible attack.

Two mobile phones, Rs 25,000, a portrait of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan's (TTP) former chief Hakimullah Mehsud, and other paraphernalia was recovered from the man's possession.

Speaking to reporters on Oct 13, senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that party leaders had been receiving threatening letters from the banned Taliban outfit in the recent past, asking them to immediately pay up extortion money or face dire consequences.

‘We are worried about Altaf Hussain’s security’

Speaking at a press conference later in the evening, MQM leader Kunwar Naveed said that presence of the suspected Taliban militant near the party headquarters has made them ‘worry’ about security of party chief Altaf Hussain in London.

He said that Pakistani Taliban have already hurled threats at Altaf Hussain, who he added has condemned the religious extremism and militancy right from the beginning.

Naveed said that MQM was also threatened by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants against electioneering before the May 11 polls last year.