KARACHI: To express solidarity with their party chief Altaf Hussain after former Karachi mayor decimated him in a press conference Thursday afternoon, Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers and activists staged peaceful protest rallies at several locations in Karachi on Friday.

Kamal had criticised Altaf Hussain for “deception” and what he called ‘poor running of one of Karachi’s strongest political parties.’

In a speech that lasted nearly two hours, Kamal also announced the formation of a new political party, which he said is yet to be named. He raised a Pakistani flag and said it is the official emblem of his newly launched organisation.

The ex-nazim went on to say that Hussain had been ‘receiving funds from Indian spy agency RAW’ and that his policies had ‘ruined two generations of Urdu-speaking people.’ He claimed the MQM chief is a ‘drunk’ who ‘addresses gatherings while intoxicated.’

The MQM had termed Kamal’s presser a conspiracy in a press conference after Kamal’s diatribe, terming all allegations against Altaf Hussain ‘an insult to the intelligence of those who vote for the party.’

“The return of Mustafa Kamal and Anees Qaimkhani is part of a conspiracy but MQM stands by Altaf Hussain,” said party leader Farooq Sattar.

In a statement released by the party, it said peaceful protest demonstrations will be organised in Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Lines Area, Defence, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Surjani, Qasba Aligarh, Orangi Town, Federal B Area, and Nazimabad.