KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement rejected on Thursday allegations that its chief Altaf Hussain had received money from the country’s prime spy agency in the late 1980s and said the party leadership had a clean record and clear conscience and was ready to defend itself at every forum.

In a statement, an MQM spokesman said government agencies had made numerous attempts to purchase Mr Hussain’s loyalty and in 1988 Brigadier Imtiaz of the ISI had brought money for him from Gen Hamid Gul, but he faced refusal. This was acknowledged by Brigadier Imtiaz some time ago in media interviews.

Likewise, in 1990 Brigadier Hamid brought money to Mr Hussain from General Mirza Aslam Beg, but Mr Hussain again refused to accept that, the statement said, adding that allegation levelled against the Muttahida and its leader by the former head of Mehran Bank about accepting the money through Yousuf Advocate was an “utter lie”.

“The MQM condemns it in the strongest possible terms. Attempts are being made to mislead the public by making fabricated and baseless allegations against Mr Hussain,” the spokesman said.