KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday expressed regret over his recent use of harsh language against law enforcement agencies (LEAs), during addresses made to party workers, according to a statement issued on MQM's official website.

Mr Hussain's statement said that the sentiments of certain officials were hurt due to the use of harsh language against LEAs, for which he 'was regretful'. The statement added that 'I used to and still respect national institutions and my intention was not to hurt anybody'.

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Reacting to the killing of a party worker on Jan 30, the MQM chief had told a private news channel that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had never accepted him and accused the country's premier intelligence agency of implicating him in cases even though no corruption was proved against him.

He also said that he had seen the 'ISI's hand supporting the lawyers movement against former president Pervez Musharraf'.

Altaf had also said he held Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah responsible for the murder of 36 party activists.