KARACHI, May 1: Two of PPP Hyderabad’s influential personalities, Ali Nawaz Khaskheli and Sabu Khaskheli with over 100 supporters joined the Muttahida Quami Movement on Monday, an MQM spokesman said.

They made the announcement at an election rally in Hyderabad held to mobilise support for MQM candidate Mohammad Pervez Qureshi for the national assembly seat NA219 by elections for which is scheduled for tomorrow. The seat had fallen vacant because of the death of MQM National Assembly member Prof Khalid Wahab.

The two Khaskhelis said they felt convinced that MQM was the party working for the welfare of the poor masses. Haq Parast MPA and former minister Naeem Ishtiaq was also present at the time of announcement, said a press release here. The MQM leader Altaf Hussain welcomed their joining the party. Mr Husain also addressed MQM workers of Hyderabad and several other zones asking them to remain calm and not be provoked by propaganda of religious parties against MQM.