KARACHI, May 22: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain told his workers on Wednesday that he was purging the party of ‘corrupt and unwanted’ elements and that the cleansing process had already begun.

He made the announcement while talking to members of the MQM coordination committee by phone from London.

According to a press release, he said there was a complete ban in the party on collection of donation and any office-bearer or worker found collecting donation from anyone would lose the party’s basic membership.

He said the MQM would not tolerate ‘China cutting’, illegal occupation of public and private land, houses, flats and shops and there was no room in the party for people indulging in such activities.

Mr Hussain asked the MQM office-bearers and workers to voluntarily resign from the party if they were associated, whether directly or indirectly, with businesses concerning sale and purchase of houses, flats and plots. Otherwise, their basic membership would be revoked. He also asked the leaders and workers engaged in construction works that they could remain associated with this profession only after resigning from the party.

The MQM would not tolerate those who caused trouble for the people, Mr Hussain said.

Meanwhile, the MQM coordination committee revoked the basic membership of the head of its former Karachi Tanzeemi Committee, Hammad Siddiqui, for violating party’s discipline.

An MQM press release said that all workers were directed not to maintain any direct or indirect contact with Mr Siddiqui.—Staff Reporter