KARACHI: Former Karachi mayor and leader of Pak Sarzameen Party, Mustafa Kamal, announced the joining of another Sindh Assembly member, Bilquis Mukhtar, to his newly formed political party.

Since his March 3 rebellion against the London-based MQM supremo Altaf Hussain, Kamal along with Anis Kaimkhani has managed to rope in some known but mostly inactive and sidelined MQM faces, including two sitting members of the provincial assembly.

Mukhtar complained that the loyal old guard, especially women, of the party has been sidelined in favour of those who are more pliant.

"[Altaf] used to encourage women's membership and participation in the party and wanted it to be greater than in any other religious or political party. But you should note that women don't come out to the rallies like they used to, there are only ever a handful. Why? Because you only want women who will flatter you, say yes to you and tamely tow your line."

Mukhtar was a member of the very first Rabita Committee, claimed Kamal, and was among the party workers who reopened Nine Zero after it was sealed by authorities.

Kamal's revelations

Earlier in March, when Kamal returned to Pakistan, the MQM dissident unleashed a salvo of bombastic ‘revelations’ against party supremo Altaf Hussain, accusing him of deception, addressing workers while intoxicated and poor running of the MQM.

Since then, the former mayor of Karachi has pulled former MQM heavyweights Advocate Anis, Raza Haroon, Anis Kaimkhani, Dr Sagheer, Iftikhar Alam, Waseem Aftab and most recently MQM ex-senator Mohammad Ali Brohi into his party.

The Pak Sarzameen Party's name was announced on March 23 and since then the party has opened offices in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas.

Advocate Anis and Raza Haroon both have slammed Altaf Hussain, saying the MQM chief is the reason behind party members jumping ship. However, the MQM has denied all allegations regarding the 'minus-Altaf formula' and claims its workers are being 'forced to change loyalties'.

Kamal and his colleagues have not specifically denied these allegations or others that suggest the new party is being backed by 'certain quarters'.

A number of senior MQM members left the country suddenly around the time Kamal returned to Karachi, causing speculation as to the reasons behind their seemingly abrupt departure.