LONDON, Sept 14: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which perceives itself as a major political rival of the Pakistan People’s Party in Sindh, has welcomed PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s decision to return home on October 18 and land in Karachi.

Party spokesman Anwer Bhai, speaking from the MQM’s international headquarters here

on Friday, said the Muttahida welcomed her choice of Karachi.

“Pakistan is her country and Sindh is her home, so we are happy that she is returning to her country and coming back home,” he said.

He said he was conveying

the sentiments of the MQM’s Rabita committee on the matter.

Answering a question, he

said Altaf Hussain would return home when advised by the Rabita committee of the party.

“At the moment the matter is not even under consideration,” he said.

He claimed that Mr Hussain faced different kinds of threats.

Elaborating, he said, the MQM chief had challenged the establishment and the feudal aristocracy and, therefore, had become the prime target of elements whose vested interests would be hurt by his return.

Reacting to MQM’s statement, Benazir Bhutto appreciated the MQM stance and said she was glad the party had welcomed her decision.