KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday took notice of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's 'namaloon afraad' speech targeted at the party, and has summoned meetings of its Rabita committee in Karachi and London respectively.

Addressing a gathering of PPP workers earlier in the day, Bilawal had said that MQM chief Altaf Hussain should keep his 'namaloom afraad' in check, adding that if anyone was targeted at PPP's public meeting on October 18, then he would turn to the London Metropolitan police.

Namaloom afraad — which in English translates to unknown persons — is a colloquial term for miscreants.

Not even sparing Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in his fiery speech, Bilawal said that the cricketer-turned politician should learn politics from the Bhutto clan, just like the latter would seek help from him on cricket if needed.

“Politics is not a game, Khan sahib,” the PPP leader said in a derisive tone, while addressing a gathering of PPP workers.

Bilawal also claimed that the next prime minister would be someone from the Bhutto clan. He added that the Bhutto enigma was still very much alive in peoples' hearts.

The PPP patron-in-chief said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was the longest-serving premier, was not elected because he was a pir but because he was also a Bhutto.

Responding to recent debate about his entry into politics, the Bhutto scion said that some forces did not want to see him active enter the political arena. He said everyone had the right to pursue politics, adding that he would launch his career "for the sake of democracy, reconciliation and for rendering sacrifices".

"Regardless of whether I'm alone or have thousands to back me up, I am marching towards Quaid-i-Azam's Mazar on October 18... let's see who tries to stop me," he said in a self-assured tone.

PPP had chosen a somber date, October 18 for his formal entry into the political arena. Seven years ago, on that date, a huge rally had greeted Benazir Bhutto at Karachi airport on her return from self-exile and was taking her home when terrorists struck her convoy, killing and wounding hundreds.

She survived the attack, only to be killed even more violently in Rawalpindi 10 weeks later.

Examine: Parliament Watch: Murky politics hang over Bilawal’s entry into arena

Bilawal had earlier offered Eid prayers at Bilawal House in Karachi.

The PPP patron-in-chief has resumed political activities after a break of almost one year.

While the Bhutto scion had earlier distanced himself from politics, in an interview with BBC earlier this year, nearly 26-year-old Bilawal said the assassination of his mother in 2007 had changed things. His initial foray in politics corresponded in December 2012 was in correspondence with Benazir’s fifth death anniversary,

He recently announced his decision to take part in the 2018 general elections from late Benazir Bhutto's seat of Ratedero in Larkana.

Also read: Bilawal to contest 2018 elections from Benazir's home constituency

MQM strongly condemns Bilawal's remarks

Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) central coordination committee on Monday strongly condemned remarks against their party chief, Altaf Hussain, by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and said the context of his speech would be evaluated through legal, constitutional and political means.

At a press conference, MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said that their party considers Bilalwal's speech as the policy of PPP, adding that MQM would seek its clarification in the Sindh Assembly.

Rizvi also hinted that MQM may consider launching country-wide protests in solidarity with their party chief.

The MQM leader said that the party's central coordination committee was set to meet after Eid to decide on any future course of action in this regard.