KARACHI: Former deputy convener and senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Nasir Jamal parted ways with the party and announced to join Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference with PSP leader Anis Kaimkhani, Mr Jamal made a formal announcement to join the new party at its headquarters where dozens of activists welcomed him amid slogans, clapping and cheering.

Mr Jamal was among the 23 leaders who had been appointed members of the MQM coordination committee after the May 2013 elections when the party witnessed major reshuffle and restructuring.

Says Sattar-led party has no vision, fails to fulfil promises

He had also served the party as spokesman for several years when the MQM enjoyed share in both provincial and federal governments as a coalition partner.

During his brief interaction with the media, along with other PSP leaders, he reposed trust in Mustafa Kamal and Mr Kaimkhani saying he had made the decision “with firm faith in the leadership”.

He said the MQM-P had no vision and it failed to fulfil the promises it had made with the people of Karachi.

“I am joining the PSP without any external influence and pressure. I will continue with my efforts for the rights of the people of Karachi from the PSP platform,” he said.

A few days ago, Karachi’s deputy mayor and senior MQM-P leader Arshad Vohra quit the party and joined the PSP.

During the press conference, Mr Kaimkhani claimed that more than 1,500 political activists from different parties had joined the PSP and predicted that his party would win the 2018 general elections with heavy margins.

“We have no doubts in our minds that in 2018 we, the PSP, will be forming government in the province of Sindh,” he said.

Mr Kaimkhani again made a mockery of MQM-P chief Dr Farooq Sattar’s threats that his party members would resign from parliament if they were forced to switch loyalties, and asked Dr Sattar to resign from the legislatures.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2017