- Sources say Asif Merchant traveled to Iran on multiple occasions.
- The suspect traveled to the United States via Türkiye on April 11, 2024, they added.
- Authorities find records of SIM cards of mobile phones and vehicles used by him.
KARACHI: Days after US authorities charged a Pakistani man named Asif Merchant with allegedly having links with Iran in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate American politicians, sources in the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) said they have not found any criminal of the suspect in his home country.
As local authorities begin their investigation, it has been revealed that Asif, a resident of Karachi, has not been involved in any criminal activity anywhere in the country and is also listed as an active declarant with the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR).
The 46-year-old was arrested in the United States on July 12 this year for allegedly trying to recruit a hitman in New York, who was actually an undercover FBI agent, to kill a politician or government official on US soil. News reported Thursday.
According to a criminal complaint, Asif, the son of Habib Merchant, was planning the alleged killing or killings in retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iran's top Revolutionary Guard commander, Qasem Soleimani, in 2020.
According to sources, the suspect, who is married and the father of two children, traveled to Iran several times between November 2, 2017, and April 8, 2024, using three passports. He stayed in Iran between November 2 and November 14, 2017.
Asif also spent time in Iran from September 17, 2023, to October 15, 2023, after which he flew to the United States on November 21, 2023, from where he returned to Pakistan on December 17, 2023.
In the current year, the suspect had traveled to Iran from Karachi airport on January 15 and returned to Pakistan on February 12, 2024. On April 1, he again took a flight from Karachi to Iran and returned to Karachi on April 8. He finally traveled to the US via Turkey from Pakistan on April 11, 2024, the sources added.
In addition to his travel, authorities have also obtained details of four mobile phone numbers, including an international one, operated by him.
In addition, a record of three vehicles and a motorcycle used by Asif in Karachi was also found.
The suspect, according to sources, has a master's degree in Management Systems and began his banking career in 2002 before being fired for alleged corruption.
One day before, Geo news had managed to obtain Asif's CV, according to which he worked as a branch manager at a bank in Karachi in 2010.
The document mentioned that the suspect managed a portfolio of assets and liabilities of over Rs1.85 billion, which included clients in the petroleum, textile, leather, paper products, chemicals and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as several retail, commercial and corporate clients.
Commenting on the issue, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Islamabad was in touch with authorities in Washington and awaiting further details on the charges against Asif.
In a statement, FO spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “We have seen the media reports. We are in touch with the US authorities and await further details.”
The spokesman said they have also noted statements by US officials that this is an ongoing investigation.
