Former MQM leader Raza Haroon joins Mustafa Kamal

The ex provincial IT minister joined MQM in 1987

Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Raza Haroon on Monday joined Mustafa Kamal’s newly-formed political party.

"I welcome Raza bhai in my party as he has come here to join us. We all welcome him on behalf of all Pakistanis," Kamal said while addressing a press conference flanked by Haroon and others at his residence in DHA, Karachi.

Haroon, who is a former Sindh IT minister, praised Kamal’s decision to launch his party, saying it was a brave and patriotic step by the former mayor.

“I believe March 3 is a day when a historic step was taken in the best interest of Pakistan,” he said. “That step was taken by Mustafa Kamal and Anis Qaimkhani out of plain courage."



The former minister said the MQM was initially formed with clear objectives to end feudalism and reaching out to the commoners, and did not intend to satisfy the needs and desires of only one person (an apparent reference to MQM supremo Altaf Hussain).

“I ask what sort of benefits the MQM worked for. The middle class was not served; neither the quota system was eliminated. I could not even let my family listen to the speeches [of MQM chief] given the obscene language used in them,” said Haroon, who returned to Karachi from Dubai earlier during the day.

Criticising Altaf, the former MQM leader said the party chief delivered speeches during “happy hours” which later became “happy 24 hours”, in a veiled reference to the alleged drinking habits of the MQM supremo.

"You are enough a conspirator for yourself, you do not need anyone to conspire against you. Your own brand and publication are enough for your own destruction,” he said.



Haroon claimed several party members believe the ban on Altaf’s speeches should remain as it is.

“I can witness that a ‘minus-one formula’ is underway from within, you [Altaf Hussain] do not need a conspirator.”

Kamal to announce name of political party

Meanwhile, in response to a question the former Karachi mayor said he will announce the name of his newly-formed party on March 23.

Over the period of time, Haroon had distanced himself from party politics and was said to be in the UK.

Initially he worked in the international secretariat but was later relieved of his duties.

The development comes in wake of several former MQM leaders joining hands with Kamal, who has already announced to hold the first-ever rally of his party in the second week of April.



Kamal’s party now has five members, including two sitting MPAs Alam and Dr Sagheer Ahmed, who joined them earlier this week.

Upon returning home from self-imposed exile on March 03, Kamal launched a blistering attack on MQM chief Altaf Hussain and challenged the ‘iron grip’ of the MQM on the city by forming a new party.

Kamal — who won wide support as mayor of Karachi from 2005 to 2010 for his efforts to ease traffic and improve public services — accused Altaf of working for India’s premier spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), destroying two generations of Mohajirs (Urdu-speaking people) and issuing threats under the influence of alcohol.