KARACHI: Former Karachi mayor and leader of Pak Sarzameen Party Mustafa Kamal on Monday roped in former leaders of All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO), Mohammad Raza Abidi and Syed Wahiduzzaman into his recently established political party.

"I kept silent at what I saw while working in the London secretariat of MQM between 1989 and 1998," said Abidi.

I have worked with Kamal and Kaimkhani, and decided to return after I heard their press conferences, everything they have said is true, added Abidi.

"Before I left London, people tried to dissuade me, I was told that my life and reputation would be on the line. But nothing has happened to me, and I came back to Karachi after 16 years to be a part of Pak Sarzameen Party," explained Abidi, while giving reasoning behind his return.

"Why are thousands of our workers and friends not present today? questioned Wahiduzzaman, referring to the many losses the MQM has suffered.

Wahiduzzaman added that they always wanted a leader instead of a destination, but now we need a strong leader to guide them as they have found their destination.

Kamal also alleged during the press conference that Nadeem Nusrat is most likely complicit in the murders of 10,000 party workers.

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, MPA Dr Sagheer, MPA Iftikhar Alam, Waseem Aftab, ex-senator Mohammad Ali Brohi, and most recently MPA Bilquis Mukhtar, 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.