Rehman Malik visited Altaf Hussain with party’s permission: PPP

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Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik addresses a news conference in Karachi on August 6, 2010. Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was heading to Karachi as violence blamed on political and ethnic rivalry between his coalition partners left over 80 people dead, officials said. AFP PHOTO/Rizwan TABASSUM (Photo credit should read RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP/Getty Images)

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday rejected Mustafa Kamal’s allegation that Rehman Malik visited Altaf Hussain to assist him in MQM’s affairs.

In his media talk on Thursday,  Kamal had alleged Malik was present in a meeting in Dubai where party leaders were briefed about alleged links of MQM leaders with the Indian spy agency RAW.

Malik’s meetings with MQM chief were held with PPP’s consent, a party statement quoting a spokesperson said on Friday.

“There is no truth in the assertions that Rehman Malik held meetings with MQM chief secretly or without the knowledge and approval of the party leadership”, the statement added.

Refuting the claim, the former interior minister said his meetings only related to mediation between the federal and provincial governments and not with MQM’s internal affairs.

Besides accusing Altaf of having a hand in Karachi unrest and training his men from RAW, Kamal also launched his own political party.

The statements had invited stern criticism from the MQM, which alleged the former party member of attempting to create a divide in the party, saying a ‘minus-Altaf formula’ would not be accepted.