Refusing to issue a red warrant against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, Interpol told the Pakistan government that it cannot proceed on a request made on "political grounds".

An official source told Business Recorder that the Interpol has informed National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol, Islamabad, headed by Director General (DG) Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that the case registered against Altaf Hussain falls under Article 3 of Interpol's constitution which is related to inciting religious or political hatred and it does not issue red warrants against anyone in such cases.

According to Article 3 of Interpol's constitution, "It is strictly forbidden for the Organization to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character."

The primary objectives of Article 3 is to ensure (a) the Organization's independence and neutrality- as reaffirmed by Resolution ?AG-2006-RES-04, (b) to reflect international extradition law and (c) to protect individuals from persecution.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on February 7 decided to send a formal request to Interpol to issue a 'red warrant' for the MQM founder, following a request from the home department of Sindh for his August 22, 2016 hate speech against Pakistan and its institutions.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on January 19, 2017 asked the Sindh police to approach the Federal Ministry of Interior to get a red warrant issued against the MQM founder in three identical cases pertaining to his anti-state speech.

The official said that Interpol on February 24 had asked Pakistan to explain what kind of criminality exists in the case [hate speech] which could lead to issuance of a red warrant against Altaf Hussain.

He said that National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol Islamabad had forwarded a second request along with necessary documents to Interpol headquarters three weeks ago for issuance of a red warrant against MQM founder.

-Business Recorder