KARACHI: Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed on Tuesday denied that he had ever taken money from former home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza as alleged in the joint investigation team (JIT) report of Dr Nisar Morai, which was made public on Monday.

The Sindh government had made public three JIT reports, including of former Fishermen Cooperating Society chairman Morai in which he made certain disclosures, one of which pertained to MQM-H’s chairman that Dr Mirza had met him in prison and also gave him Rs2.5 million.

Speaking at a press conference at his DHA residence, Mr Ahmed said that he did not know who Dr Morai was but he had met Dr Mirza in prison because he was the home minister of the province at that time and he was accompanied by many people.

He said that JITs were of no legal value but it appeared that his name was mentioned just to tarnish his “clean image”.

“The JIT will not make any difference on me but I am setting the record straight so that my family and workers could not think that Afaq Ahmed took Rs2.5m.”

He demanded that the Supreme Court take suo motu action on it. “We will not be blackmailed by any JIT. It’s an attempt to defame politicians,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2020