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Dehlvi

challenges

Babar

KARACHI: Ajmal Dehlvi, Chief Negotiator of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Saturday categorically denied the charge of Federal Interior Minister Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Naseerullah Babar that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain phoned him (Dehlvi) from London and gave directive to hand over three to four MQM terrorists to the authorities.

He was asked to comment on the statement made in this connection by the Interior Minister at a press conference earlier in the day in Karachi.

The chief negotiator of the MQM told PPI here on Saturday evening, "I challenge Naseerullah Babar to give proof (tape) of my telephonic conversation in which Altaf Hussain has given such as directive. "If the proof is given I will step down as the chief negotiator and if it is not proved than Babar should resign as minister", he added.

He said such allegations were part of propaganda against the MQM and its leaders by the government. "We are not involved in terrorism nor have any terrorist in our ranks. As chief of the negotiating team, I am in contact with Altaf Hussain who gives us guidelines from London in connection with the negotiations.

"We have no connection whatsoever with the handing over of any MQM worker to the government and Altaf Hussain has not given any directive nor is expected to do so in future", he expalined.

Replying to a question, Dehlvi confirmed that mother of Secretary General of the MQM Dr. Imran Farooq phoned him few days back for a meeting. She came to my office with her daughter and asked about reports in the press about her son. He said he told her that Imran Farooq had not yet been arrested.

Asked as to when the talks will resume with the government, he said: "We have explained our stand through a letter sent to the head of the government side and Federal Law and Justice Minister Prof. N.D. Khan few days back. Our stand is call us MQM and not Altaf Group in order to end the deadlock and resume negotiations".

He said the government side had not yet replied to his letter".-PPI