The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) hearing a money laundering case against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)'s London-based founder Altaf Hussain and others on Thursday, sought arguments from the defence counsel over an application filed by the accused seeking exemption from personal appearance before the court.

The ATC judge Raja Jawad Abbas, heared a case against Altaf Hussain and others on account of their alleged involvement in anti-state activities, forgery, and money laundering. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)'s Special Prosecutor Khawaja Imtiaz appeared before the court.

Accused Ahmad Ali did not appear before the court as he was granted one-day exemption from appearing before the court. During the course of hearing, the court directed the counsel for the accused Ahmad Ali to argue on the application for exemption from attendance during the next hearing to be held on April 2nd. An ATC on May 28 last year transferred the case from Karachi to Islamabad.

The MQM chief with former federal minister Babar Ghauri, former senator Ahmad Ali, former deputy mayor Karachi Arshad Vohra, Khawaja Sohail, Khawaja Rehan, and others have been booked in the case pertaining to alleged money laundering.