KARACHI, April 18: Ms Shaista Almani, along with her husband Mr Balkh Sher, on Saturday formally announced that they have joined the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

The couple, which came in the limelight after getting married against the traditions of their respective tribes, made their decision public during a meeting held at the party offices, Nine Zero, in the presence of MQM Coordination Committee members Hisamuddin Jalali, Zahid Qureshi, Abdul Khaliq Baloch and Ms Mumtaz Anwar.

The MQM's women MPAs, Ms Bilqees Mukhtar, Heer Ismail Soho and party's women wing members were also present on the occasion. Talking to the committee members, Ms Almani and Mr Balkh Sher expressed their gratitude to MQM chief Altaf Hussain for taking a bold stand on their issue, while many political and religious parties did not even bother to issue a favourable statements for the couple.