The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued notices to 726 workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in connection to a money-laundering case, sources said on Sunday.
The investigative agency’s Counter-Terrorism Wing sent out notices to 726 people working at different positions within the party, instructing them to get in touch with its Islamabad head office, the sources said.
The said party workers are accused of depositing large sums of money into the funds of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) – a charitable organisation that operates under the jurisdiction of MQM.
The FIA, on Friday, had obtained non-bailable arrest warrants for four former and current MQM leaders in connection with the case. An anti-terrorism court in Karachi had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Babar Ghauri, Khawaja Sohail Mansoor, Ahmed Ali and Arshad Vohra.
According to sources, the four have been directed to appear before FIA on November 12.
A money laundering case was lodged against the MQM supremo and KKF in Karachi in 2017. However, it was later transferred to the FIA's Counter-Terrorism Wing, Islamabad.
It is also pertinent to note here that the MQM, following an inflammatory speech by the party founder in August 2016, divided into two factions, with Pakistan-based members distancing themselves from their London-based leadership.
Later, some members defected to other political parties as well, including Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).
