PESHAWAR: Brushing aside rumours that supermodel Ayyan smuggled money on his or his brother’s behest, former interior minister Rehman Malik denied on Wednesday having any links with the supermodel.
"None of my family members, including myself, have any links with Ayyan," Malik said, while speaking to the media at the residence of former federal minister Dr Arbab Alamgir in Peshawar.
"Those who are linking Ayyan with me, should also provide evidence," he said, adding if proven he maintains connections with the model, he will leave politics.
Read: Ayyan’s case: Transparency International urges NAB to take notice of faulty challan
The model-cum-singer was arrested on March 14 at the Islamabad airport for allegedly trying to board a plane to Dubai with $500,000 in her baggage. Passengers are not allowed to carry more than $10,000 out of the country. She was later charged with money laundering and sent to jail on remand.
Read: Supermodel Ayyan sent to Adiala jail for 'smuggling' $500,000
Later, the interrogation of supermodel Ayyan in a money laundering case led investigators to an intricate nexus between the country’s fashion industry and political heavyweights.
The model made stunning disclosures during her interrogation, naming several politicians and businessmen who used her services to stash cash abroad, according to officials attached with the investigation of this case, which is likely to be referred to a special team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Read: Ayyan laundering money for political heavyweights since 2011, investigators reveal
Background discussions and interviews with the supermodel’s family and friends revealed she admitted to taking money abroad since 2011. Despite several attempts, the people named by Ayyan during interrogation did not respond.
Interestingly, following a hearing in a Rawalpindi court, model Ayyan’s father was shot in the arm and wounded. Speaking to The Express Tribune after becoming stable, Ayyan’s father Raja Hafeez, said he has nominated Rehman Malik’s brother, Khalid Malik in the FIR pertaining to the shooting incident today.
Read: Supermodel Ayyan's father shot and wounded
Her father had come to see his model daughter when he was attacked by an unidentified person and shot in the arm. Following the attack, he was taken to Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi where he received treatment.
He further added that he had been receiving threats over the past few weeks.
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