MQM defections mount as senior workers jump on Kamal's bandwagon

KARACHI: Defections from the Muttahida Qaumi movement (MQM) mounted further on Monday as senior party worker Mohammad Raza and former APMSO leader Waheeduz Zaman joined former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal's Pak Sarzameen party (PSP).

“There is no other worker of the level of Mohammad Raza here or in London,” said Kamal, announcing the newest additions to his fledgling party during another press conference at his DHA residence.

Kamal said that Raza was such a senior worker that he was a sector in-charge for the MQM when Kamal was a common party activist on the streets, and then rose up the ranks to join the party’s central leadership in London.

“I have come back to Karachi after 16 years. I am here only because of promises made by Pak Sarzameen,” said former senior MQM worker Mohammad Raza.

“What Mustafa Kamal says is the truth,” said Raza. “I went to London in the 80s and saw all of this happening in front of my eyes. But I remained silent. Now I am back in Karachi after 16 years only to be part of the ideology of Pak Sarzameen Party.”

Zaman, a former chairman of the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO), said it was difficult for them to speak the truth while being part of the MQM.

“Students of APMSO were used to control rallies and collect animal hides during Eid-ul-Azha. They were asked to prioritise the party over their education,” alleged Zaman, adding that it was not an easy call for them to join Kamal’s party.

More fireworks from Mustafa Kamal

At the press conference today, Mustafa Kamal – once a senior MQM leader and said to be Altaf Hussain’s chosen men – continued his searing criticism of the party chief, accusing the MQM supremo of assigning 'target-killing' tasks to party workers at a meeting the previous day.

"Altaf Hussain called a meeting yesterday where he asked participants to keep their phones away. But we still got out information,” he said.

Kamal accused the MQM chief and senior MQM leader Nadeem Nusrat of ordering workers to carry out assassinations of political rivals.

“Altaf asked members to form teams and carry out target-killings. Nadeem Nusrat was giving the orders. He has been doing this for the past 20 years. This time, Altaf even asked women party workers to form (target-killing) teams,” Kamal alleged.

"All these boys who became RAW agents, target killers, terrorists, those who are behind bars in thousands, hundreds of those who are missing…I urge the government of Pakistan to prepare a package for them like (they did) in Balochistan,” he said.

Kamal once again reiterated his call for an amnesty and rehabilitation package for those Urdu-speaking youth of Karachi who have allegedly turned to terrorism and target-killing.

“These people were not terrorists from their homes. It is this organization and Altaf Hussain who have turned them into terrorists. They should be given another chance. Rehabilitation centres should be opened to bring them back into society,” he said.