KARACHI: The British Deputy High Commission in Karachi closed its offices ‘temporarily’ on Tuesday in what is seen as a pre-emptive move amid a strong reaction from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) against the arrest of its founding chief Altaf Hussain in London.

“The British Deputy High Commission in Karachi has been temporarily closed to the public. We hope to resume a full service again shortly,” said a brief statement issued by the British High Commission in Islamabad without explaining any reason behind the sudden move.

The spokesman refused to be drawn on reports of arrest of Mr Hussain and progress in investigation into charges against him. “We can’t comment on a police investigation: this is a matter for the Metropolitan Police.”

Earlier, MQM leaders and parliamentarians had staged a protest demonstration in front of the British deputy high commission in Karachi in July 2013 against a police raid at the residence of the MQM chief in London and his alleged media trial.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2014