PESHAWAR, Dec 26: MNA Abdul Wasim of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has said that his party’s philosophy is based on public service and protecting citizens’ rights.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, he said MQM chief Altaf Hussain had always raised his voice for the rights of those belonging to the middle class and brought them to the assemblies.

Shaukat Shah and Tahoor Khattak of the Pakistan Muslim League, Syed Abdullah Shah Banuri of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and other leaders announced joining the MQM on the occasion.

“Soon after last year’s earthquake, the MQM dispatched relief goods and medical teams to the affected areas and our leader donated Rs5 million to the President’s Relief Fund,” the MNA said.

He said the opponents had always labelled the MQM activities as terrorism but those who had embezzled government funds and misused their powers in previous governments were now part of the current government.

When asked if the Pukhtuns were being sidelined by the MQM in Karachi, Mr Wasim said: “We are trying to bring the Pukhtuns to the front in the MQM and we want them to become MPAs and MNAs from our platform in future.”