Mehrangate: Altaf Hussain denies taking money from agencies

MQM chief says he did not take money from any intelligence agency through or from Yousuf Memon Advocate.

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has denied that he took any money or funds, whether directly or indirectly, from any intelligence agency through or from Yousuf Memon Advocate.

In a statement issued by the MQM, Hussain says that he had not taken any funds from the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), the Military Intelligence (MI) or any other agency. He states that if Yousuf Memon Advocate had taken money from former Mehran Bank chief Younis Habib, he should be held accountable so that the money belonging to the people of Pakistan can be returned.

The statement says that Colonel (retired) Akber had confirmed that Hussain had refused to accept any money from the agencies and Yousuf Memon had also denied giving any money to the MQM chief.

Despite the clarifications, Hussain further invited the Supreme Court to initiate any further investigation or inquiry from Colonel Akber or Yousuf Memon Advocate into the allegations, employing its own prerogative or discretion.

The Supreme Court is hearing a 20-year-old petition filed by air marshal Asghar Khan, in which he stated that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) rigged the 1990 elections by handing out money to several politicians.

Former chief of Mehran Bank Younis Habib appeared before the Supreme Court and had admitted of handing out Rs140 million to various politicians.