ISLAMABAD: Talking to media personnel on Thursday, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan said the sensitive disclosures made in the BBC report confirmed Pakistan's suspicions about India's involvement in the country.

Nisar said intelligence agencies had in the past reported India's interference inside Pakistan, adding that recent statements from the Indian leadership were a clear indication of foreign involvement.

The interior minister also said he held a meeting with British High Commissioner Philip Barton on Thursday, during which he asked the high commissioner for his government's assistance in accessing details of the disclosures made in the BBC report.

"The high commissioner has recommended that I write an official letter from the government of Pakistan to the British government, requesting access to details relating to the disclosures made in the BBC report," said Nisar.

The interior minister said he will formally write to the UK government tomorrow (Friday) requesting Pakistani authorities' access to key information in relation to the serious allegations levelled by the BBC against MQM.

But Nisar went on to say that these allegations should not be used to malign Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) as a political party.

"There are plenty of respectable senior politicians and patriotic individuals in MQM who have done a lot for Pakistan. I request all of you not to link these allegations to MQM's voters or supporters," said the interior minister.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed the interior ministry to thoroughly investigate the claims made in the BBC report pertaining to the MQM receiving funding from India, and sought an early report in this regard.

Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi met the premier at the Prime Minister House today.

During the meeting, the premier was apprised about the details of the BBC report. Nisar shared initial details of the report with the PM and said concerned departments of the interior ministry have been directed to investigate the matter.

Know more: India provided funds to MQM, claims BBC report

According to official sources, the matter was discussed in detail during the meeting.

On Wednesday, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a documentary, alleging that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has received funding from Indian authorities. The report also states that UK authorities investigating MQM for alleged money laundering also found a list of weapons in an MQM property.

However, MQM leader Wasay Jalil rejected the allegations and termed the story baseless.

Earlier in May, the then Senior Superintendent of Police Malir, Rao Anwar claimed to have arrested two MQM workers allegedly trained by RAW and demanded that the MQM be banned for being “a terrorist party”.

In July 2013, the UK’s BBC Two programme ‘Newsnight’ hosted by Owen Benett Jones, had reported that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain is being investigated for money laundering worth at least 400,000 pounds as well as for incitement to violence.

The report had also included video clips of Mr Hussain making violent statements, an outline of the death of assassinated party leader Imran Farooq, as well as interviews with a former MQM leader, a policeman accusing the party of murder and party leader Farooq Sattar.

In Jan 2014, another BBC news report had identified the names of two suspects in the Dr Imran Farooq murder case.

PTI submits resolution in PA for Altaf’s trial under Article six

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has submitted a resolution in the provincial assembly of Punjab regarding the BBC’s accusations against MQM.

The resolution demanded that the federal government constitute a high level commission to investigate the allegations.

It read that the allegations, including terrorism and training in RAW camps had already been leveled in past.

If these allegations are proved then those responsible should be tried under Article six of the constitution, the PTI said.