KARACHI, March 7: Activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement started planting a sapling each on Thursday to celebrate the birth of Altaf Hussain’s daughter, says a press release.

It adds that the tree-plantation campaign was started on the directive of the MQM coordination committee, which had asked the activists to celebrate the birth of Mr Hussain’s child in a manner which is beneficial to the city.

Another press release says that people flocked to the city residence of Mr Hussain as soon as they learnt about the birth of his child. They distributed bouquets and sweets. Some supporters sent fax and telephone messages to express their wishes.

“A large number of women workers also reached Mr Hussain’s residence. The entire area wore a festive look as Mr Hussain’s supporters exchanged greetings. They also arranged a ‘rain of flower petals’”.

A press release issued by the MQM international secretariat says: “At 7.49pm (British Standard Time) Altaf Hussain was blessed with a daughter by the Almighty God. She weighed six pounds and 11 ounces.”

The press release adds that the MQM secretariat was inundated with congratulatory phone calls from supporters from all over the world, especially Pakistan, USA, Gulf States, Belgium, South Africa, etc.