KARACHI: In what is being seen as a telltale sign that three parties comprising leaders who were at one time or another led by Altaf Hussain are coming close to each other, the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and Mohajir Qaumi Movement — more commonly known as MQM-Haqiqi — have categorically expressed support for a demonstration being organised on Sunday (today) by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) here in protest against the “corruption, bad governance and biased attitude of the Sindh government”.

With the PSP and MQM-Haq­iqi making it clear that they backed the cause behind the protest planned by the MQM-P, political analysts said the development indicated that the three parties involved were fast changing their attitudes towards each other.

That was why the PSP and MQM-Haqiqi’s messages expressing support for the protest were reciprocated by a formal thanks by MQM-P chief Dr Farooq Sattar, who specifically mentioned Mus­tafa Kamal and Afaq Ahmed in his speech and expressed his gratitude to them, added the analysts.

Analysts say leaders of three parties who were once led by Altaf may be coming closer to each other

On Saturday, the leaders of the three parties reiterated their stance, suggesting that their earlier statements were not just an emotional call.

“We heard, watched and learned what he [Mustafa Kamal] said to media during his televised press conference,” Ameen-ul-Haq of the MQM-P said, referring to the PSP chief’s expression of support to the MQM-P protest.

“We welcome his thoughts and believe that it’s a positive gesture. We are also aware of the views expressed by Afaq Ahmed and are thankful to him as well. We invite all political parties... to participate in this rally.”

Though the PSP and MQM-Haqiqi have not announced their willingness to take part in the demonstration, the apparent thaw in relations between them has fuelled speculation. Only a short while ago, the leaders of the three parties were spewing vitriol against each other on almost all primetime television shows. Many of them now seem ready to put the squabbles behind them.

According to the MQM-P, its procession will begin at Liaquatabad No 10 and culminate at Mazar-i-Quaid. The purpose behind holding the protest was to “expose” the Sindh government’s “bad governance” because of which the province had suffered for the last eight years, it said.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2017