KARACHI: Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi chairman Afaq Ahmed said on Saturday that he would not leave the country and pledged to carry out political activities in such a manner that confrontation was avoided.

He was talking to journalists outside his residence in Landhi following his release from the central prison after being behind bars for more than seven-and-a-half years.

A large number of MQM-H workers and sympathisers carrying garlands and raising slogans welcomed their leader as he reached his home.

Mr Ahmed said that peace in Karachi was essential for the wellbeing of the country and for this all stakeholders should work together.

Bogus cases were instituted against him and about eight years ago he was offered a safe passage to a foreign country, he said. “I would rather die than leave my workers and go abroad.”

He said he had forgiven Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad for the treatment meted out to him during his incarceration.

“I have no personal dispute with Altaf Hussain…I even forgive the governor who did not allow me to attend the funeral of my father…but I have not forgiven the conspiracies hatched against the country.”

Answering a question, he said he had invited all his former colleagues who had left him over the years. He vowed not to allow anyone to work against the interest of Mohajirs.

The MQM-H leader praised Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan for allowing his release and not bowing under pressure.

Mr Ahmed was released from the prison in compliance with the directives of the Sindh High Court, which a day earlier had declared his detention under the much-reviled public order law as illegal and asked the provincial authorities to set him free. The Sindh home department issued his release order.

A number of MQM-H workers reached the central prison on motorbikes and cars to receive their leader.

Police and Rangers made elaborate arrangements for the security of the MQM-H leader, whose cavalcade took one hour to reach Landhi.

“Mr Ahmed travelled in a police armoured personnel carrier,” said an official. “He has raised security concerns several times…. The Rangers personnel, along with the policemen, escorted his cavalcade though his security is primarily the responsibility of the police.”

He first visited a graveyard in the Landhi area to pay homage to his party's leaders and workers who were slain during his years behind bars. He then moved to his home in Landhi-6.

Arrested in 2004, Mr Ahmed was booked in over one dozen criminal cases, including murder and kidnapping for ransom. He and his party denied charges and always said the cases were instituted at the behest of Muttahida Qaumi Movement that is in power both at the centre and in Sindh since 2002.