ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan decided on Wednesday to form a committee to examine legal aspects of the claims made by Sarfaraz Merchant, a suspect in the money-laundering case against the MQM leadership.

Merchant had claimed in a TV programme on Tuesday that several lists of explosive weapons were found in the house of MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London when it was raided by Scotland Yard in 2014.

The former donor and a close associate of top MQM leaders also accused the party of having links with India.

The minister said it should be examined as to what extent the claims made by Sarfaraz Merchant could help in the money-laundering case being investigated in Pakistan.

Merchant said police had shown him a list of explosive weapons found in Altaf’s house and asked him if he had paid for them or knew who had signed it.

Scotland Yard police have admitted that a list was found from MQM leader’s house which showed that over £65,000 were paid for purchasing the weapons.

Merchant said the investigators had told him that they were in possession of several other lists.

He said Scotland Yard asked him if he was aware that the MQM received money from India and if he had any role in facilitating this money.

Merchant said police gave him a document which stated that they had “credible evidence” that the MQM received funding from India and Mohammad Anwar and Tariq Mir admitted before police that they received money from the Indian intelligence sources.

“I shared the official document about Indian funding to the MQM with a senior political figure who was previously associated with the party and is now holding a key position in the Sindh government,” he said without naming Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad.

He said he was shocked to know that an Indian company based in Dubai was transferring money to MQM’s accounts.

He admitted that he had given around £250,000 to the MQM during the 2013 general elections. “I thought I was helping a big party and I didn’t think I was committing a crime. I am now facing the consequences. I paid all amounts through cheques to Mohammad Anwar and the MQM,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2016