HYDERABAD: Former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal, who named his newly formed political party as 'Pak Sarzameen' a day ago, on Thursday claimed Mutahidda Qaumi Movement chief had "paid an individual in 2013 to establish contact with the then ISI chief Gen Zaheerul Islam."

Speaking to supporters at the inauguration of his party's first political office in Hyderabad, Kamal said:

"Those propagating that we are backed by the establishment, let me tell you something.

In 2013, the MQM chief paid a sum of money to a person, who is still alive, only so that contact with ISI chief Gen Zaheer could be established."

Kamal claimed he knew who Altaf Hussain paid to talk to Gen Zaheer, and the sum of money paid to arrange the conversation.

"I leave it to the public to figure out who the man was."

Earlier, Kamal travelled from Karachi to Hyderabad, where he was welcomed by supporters amidst cheers, to open a political office in the city.

Membership forms of his newly formed party were being filled by supporters in the party office, which has been set up in a residential area of Latifabad unit-6. The property is owned by late MQM activist Naeem Arain, who died in England last year.

Kamal's associates and former MQM leaders, Anis Kaimkhani, Anis Ahmed advocate, Raza Haroon and Wasim Aftab, were also present on the occasion.

Kamal's return

In a dramatic return to Karachi earlier this month after an unexplained absence of almost three years from the political scene, Kamal, in a press conference alongside Anis Kaimkhani, revealed for the first time the reasons behind his controversial exit from the MQM.

Read: Mustafa Kamal decimates MQM chief Altaf, announces new political party.

He criticised the party’s chief Altaf Hussain for "deception" and what he called his poor running of one of Karachi’s strongest political parties.

Kamal then announced the formation of a new political party, which he named as the 'Pak Sarzameen Party' on Mar 23.

Since his arrival, a number of high-profile MQM leaders including Raza Haroon, MPA Dr Sagheer Ahmed, Waseem Aftab, Anis Advocate and MPA Iftikhar Alam, have joined Kamal and supported his diatribe against Altaf Hussain and the MQM.

Also read: Major blow to MQM as Raza Haroon joins Kamal.

The dissidents have levelled serious allegations at the MQM and its chief, including taking funds from Indian spy agency Research & Analysis Wing.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.