No links with model Ayyan: Rehman Malik

PESHAWAR: Former interior minister and leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Rehman Malik Wednesday said he would quit politics if any links of him or his family was established with the arrested super model Ayyan Ali.
“If any proof was provided that I or my brother has any link with Ayyan Ali or the money seized from her, I will quit politics,” he said while briefing media men after a party meeting at the residence of former federal minister Arbab Alamgir Khan.
Ayyan Ali was arrested on March 14 at Islamabad airport on charges of money laundering as 500,000 US dollars were recovered from her suitcase. The money exceeded the legal limit of cash that can be carried out of the country, which is 10,000 US dollars.
It was alleged that Rehman Malik’s brother tried to meet the super model soon after her arrest, however, he was not allowed to enter the lounge.
The PPP leader termed Ayyan Ali and his connections a conspiracy against the PPP leadership with the aim to tarnish their image.
The PPP leader also advised the federal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to take action against Daesh, a militant group, which is becoming a serious threat to the country. “We have committed mistake by ignoring Al-Qaeda’s presence. We should not repeat the same mistake,” he remarked.
Flanked by Arbab Alamgir Khan, Khanzada Khan PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president, former governor Masood Kausar and Asma Alamgir, Rehman Malik came down hard on Zulfiqar Mirza, the former home minister Sindh and close aide of Asif Ali Zardari.
“He (Zulfiqar Mirza) is no more in PPP. If his loyalty was with the party I may have gone to him [for negotiations],” Malik said. He said the attack of Zulfiqar Mirza on police station was attack on rule of law.
“He didn’t break the table of the DSP’s office but have crushed the law of the country.” He said Zulfiqar Mirza should face the court if he claims to be so brave. The senator said PPP could also reply in the same tone and tenor but the party leadership asked the workers to stay within the limits of decency.
Rehman Malik said he came to Peshawar on the directives of party’s co-chairman to resolve the grievances of some of the party leaders in the province. “We have decided to stay united under the banner of PPP,” he added.
He admitted that in past mistakes were committed by the party leadership in the province; however they would not go in details of those mistakes and apologised to all those workers who were ignored in the past.He said Asif Ali Zardari would soon visit Peshawar and meet all the workers and rejuvenate the party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rehman Malik said they also passed a resolution in the meeting which stated that all the leaders and workers of the party would work together with unity and harmony for the party and masses as per wisdom of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari.
Earlier, in his remarks Masood Kausar dispelled the impression of any grouping within the party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “There was no disgruntled or like-minded group in the party. We had some suggestion to make the party more vibrant,” he said.
He added their suggestions were appreciated by the party leadership and assurance was given to them that action would be taken on it.He said they had no personal issues with anyone but wanted to revive the party and once again make it the strongest political force in the province.
Khanzada Khan said he would work together with all the party leaders and assured his cooperation. “Let’s make a team and devise strategy together to make PPP the most popular party in the province.”
He said PPP would win the upcoming local government election. The leaders also appreciated the dedication and hard work of Arbab family for the party and hoped they would continue their efforts with same zeal. Prominent among those who were present on the occasion were Tariq Khattak, Liaqat Shabab, Ayub Shah and Zulfiqar Afghani.