KARACHI - Mustafa Kamal has agreed to record his statement to FIA in the case against MQM leadership after a top official of the investigation agency met him on Sunday, The Nation learned yesterday.

Upon their surprise return from self-exile earlier this month, he and Anis Qaimkhani had accused Altaf Hussain and some other top MQM leaders of money-laundering and having links with India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), claiming the party had been receiving funds from the Indian spy agency.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Sindh Director Shahid Hayat visited Kamal’s residence in Clifton neighbourhood yesterday without any protocol. He was welcomed by Qaimkhani, Kamal and Dr Sagheer Ahmad.

The informal meeting lasted for about half an hour wherein the FIA officer asked the MQM rebels for cooperation in the case.

“Shahid Hayat has sought cooperation to probe money laundering and RAW related cases and I assured him of full cooperation,” said Mustafa Kamal while talking to the journalists at his residence after the meeting.

Though Shahid Hayat could not be reached for comments despite several attempts, however, sources in the FIA said Kamal was likely to record his statement to the agency in the next couple of days.

Earlier, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had said Kamal had not given any documentary evidence against the MQM and termed his claims as verbal accusations. He invited the former Karachi nazim to share evidence with the FIA, which is already investigating the case against MQM leadership.

The FIA has also contacted Sarfaraz Merchant, one of the suspects in money-laundering case. Upon his showing willingness, the investigators will record his statement either in London or in Pakistan, if agreed to come here for this purpose.

Mustafa Kamal in his press talk also told journalists that his newly formed party was progressing day by day and they would hold a rally in the second week of April. He said time will tell how big their first political gathering would be in Karachi.

In response to MQM leader Farooq Sattar’s statement that their party workers were tortured by Rangers in custody, he said Farooq “is oppressed and very innocent”.

It is a good sign that at least MQM has owned its imprisoned workers, he said, adding that families of jailed workers have suffered for years.

“The young workers were not born terrorists or target killers but the question is that who showed them the way to all this,” said Kamal, adding that “we have to bring them back”. Kamal said that if amnesty packages are given to rebels in Balochistan then the same should be done for these prisoners.

The former Karachi mayor said that his party had not contacted with Zulfiqar Mirza, people are supporting him as he has infused a new hope. He said he would also visit Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

Anis QaimKhani on the occasion said that their party would not go for the forward block in provincial assembly nor will use MQM’s mandate. He said that those MQM leaders who were assembly member would have to resign in order to join their party. He also thanked the people who put up posters in their favour in Karachi.