Cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz joins MQM

Sattar says Nawaz’s inclusion good omen as party is gaining popularity.

ISLAMABAD: Former test cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz on Tuesday announced to venture into politics by joining the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

He announced this at a press conference at the National Press Club, Islamabd, where he was accompanied by MQM’s senior leaders Dr Farooq Sattar and Babar Ghauri.

“We warmly welcome Sarfaraz Nawaz in the party,” Sattar said, adding that the MQM will soon emerge as a major national party.

Nawaz met MQM chief Altaf Hussain around four years ago. He has also served as the sports adviser to the Punjab government, Sattar said while giving a short introduction of the cricketer-turned-politician. Sattar also extended Nawaz an invitation to visit Nine-Zero.

“I had met Altaf Hussain four years back in London. I was impressed by the policies of the party and so decided to join the MQM,” Nawaz said.

When asked whether he joined the MQM in rivalry of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, Nawaz questioned Khan’s political standing while Babar Ghauri clarified that the MQM has no enmity with anyone.

Farooq Sattar said that Nawaz’s inclusion in the party was a good omen as people from different walks of life have started joining the MQM. “The MQM is actively working for the downtrodden sector of the society,” he added.

Answering a question about rejoining the cabinet, he said that currently the MQM was prioritising taking up economic issues with the government and does not think this is the right time to join the cabinet.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2011.