A REPORT says that our interior ministry has sought a review of the Scotland Yard’s decision of the money laundering case against MQM founder Altaf Hussain (Jan 26).

The cases against Mr Hussain, senior MQM leader Mohammad Anwar and businessman Sarfaraz Merchant were dropped by the Metropolitan Police in October last for lack of evidence, which had also involved a forfeiture of 500,000 pounds in cash.

It may be recalled that many analysts and reporters had already concluded that due to US and Indian pressure the cases against the MOM supremo would be dropped. While the excuse given by the British authorities was that sufficient evidence couldn’t be found to make a foolproof case, one wonders what became of two other complaints.

These had pertained to instigating violence against PTI activists after their demonstration in a Clifton area following the 2013 elections and, later on, fomenting attacks on some media houses plus calling for Indian and Israeli help t( dismember Pakistan in August 2016.

On both occasions, the British authorities had taken the plea that they were getting Mr Hussain’s speeches translated to understand what exactly he had said and whether punitive action would be required.

It would have been laughable if it hadn’t been such a serious issue for most Pakistanis that even after the passage of three years and six months, respectively, from these incidents, the Brits haven’t been able to accomplish these simplest of tasks!

There’s a Japanese saying’ “Pinch yourself and know how others feel.” If, during the Northern Ireland troubles, an Irish Republican Army leader had sought asylum, say in the US or, astonishingly, in Pakistan and was engaged in activities considered subversive by London, wouldn’t it have used all the means at its disposal to bring the man to justice?

Hafeezullah

Karachi

Published in Dawn February 7th, 2017