Pakistan to probe Qadri`s source of funding

Pakistan`s Federal Investigation Agency has launched a formal probe against Minhajul Quran International chief Dr Tahirul Qadri.

Islamabad: Pakistan`s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a formal probe against Minhajul Quran International (MQI) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, after it obtained evidence relating to the source of the massive funding that has sustained Qadri`s protest in Islamabad.

The FIA started investigations into the source of the funding, including the vast scale media campaign and the long march turned sit-in that is into its third consecutive day, reports The Express Tribune. According to sources, the FIA sought details from the State Bank of Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue, Financial Management Unit, and other concerned agencies. It also approached Hawala dealers who deal in remitting money from abroad through illegal means. The probe has been launched on the basis of complaints and reports appearing in media outlets questioning the source of funding that has sustained the long march, sit-in and the advertisement campaigns aggressively launched in the print and electronic media involving millions of rupees on a daily basis. The agency is also inquiring into violations of the Foreign Exchange Regulations allegedly committed by Qadri and the MQI in Pakistan and abroad, as well as individuals who donated and remitted money via illegal channels, sources said. The PPP-led government has also sought the Canadian government`s help regarding details of the NGO operating under the supervision of Qadri in Canada, along with the manifesto and mandate of the NGO as well as its origin of funding. Interior Minister Rehman Malik, during a meet with Canadian High Commissioner Greg Giokas, said the government might seek Ottawa`s help to uncover the origin of funding being spent by Qadri in Pakistan. ANI