MQM’s Asif Hasnain joins Pak Sarzameen Party

Mustafa Kamal welcomes the Karachi lawmaker into his party

A day after Farooq Sattar announced complete disconnect with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, party’s lawmaker Syed Asif Hasnain has joined the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).

“From today, I will have no connection with the MQM. I resign from my seat [as well],” he told reporters on Sunday. “I have left MQM’s mandate because I want to work for Pakistan not against it.”

Hasnain represented the MQM in the National Assembly - won his seat from NA-255 Karachi in the 2013 general elections.

Asif Hasnain in a press conference with Mustafa Kamal. EXPRESS NEWS SCREEN GRAB



The lawmaker urged other MQM leaders and members to leave their party and join the PSP.

“Don’t be afraid of anyone. Join the PSP and support Mustafa Kamal.”

He was detained following raids on MQM's offices after Altaf’s anti-Pakistan speech on August 22. Sattar in an interview claimed Hasnain was not in contact with the party since then.

Asked if he was under pressure from Rangers after his detention, the former MQM member said it was not the first time he was held by law enforcers.



Commenting on Altaf’s decision to let Sattar run the party, Kamal said, “As long as he is alive, let anyone else lead his party. He killed whoever was capable of doing so. He killed Azeem Tariq. He killed Imran Farooq.”

The MQM chief had on Wednesday formally handed over the party to its Rabita Committee.

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