Imran Farooq renews allegiance to Altaf

Published August 23, 2004

KARACHI, Aug 22: Dr Imran Farooq of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has denied reports appearing in a section of press about his parting ways with his party, saying that he was loyal to the party chief, Altaf Hussain.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Dr Imran also rejected reports that he intended to return to Pakistan from London and form a new group. He urged people not to heed the 'totally false and baseless' reports.

The MQM leader said he was passing a dormant life and not taking part in party activities for the last few days due to some unavoidable circumstances. "I was loyal to the MQM founder Altaf Hussain in the past, and I am still loyal to him," he declared.

Meanwhile, a press release issued from the MQM's international secretariat said that the mass contact campaign launched by the party continued on Saturday.

The party's coordination committee members, legislators, advisers, zone- and sector-level leaders, as well as activists, have been meeting people in their respective areas to inform them about the conspiracy being hatched against the MQM, according to the release.

It said that public meetings were also being held at different places in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.