A former MQM member on Thursday challenged the leadership of London-based party chief Altaf Hussain by announcing the formation of a new political outfit and accusing the MQM of having links with India’s external intelligence agency RAW.
Reappearing in Karachi after three years, former mayor Mustafa Kamal said Hussain was working on “breaking up Pakistan” and, in the process, had destroyed two generations of people. “We all know that Altaf Hussain has links with RAW,” he told a news conference.
In a speech that lasted nearly two hours, he also announced the formation of a new political party, which he said is yet to be named. He raised a Pakistani flag and said it is the official emblem of his newly launched organisation.
“Today we are laying the foundation of an organisation, you may call it a party. We are just two individuals, myself and Anees Qaimkhani.”
Midway during the speech, Kamal broke down into tears while addressing the press conference, as he went on to make major revelations about the internal workings of the party and what he called the cult of personality made around Altaf Hussain.
“Every time the MQM joined the government, its position deteriorated,” Kamal stated.
“But Altaf sahab and the MQM instead of apologising, began verbally attacking PTI women activists at Teen Talwar,” he said, adding that despite poor governance, the MQM was able to bag two more seats between 2008 and 2013.
“I thought the PTI stealing almost a million votes from MQM’s strongholds will make the party rethink its ways,” added Kamal, shaking his head.
“Altaf gathered his workers and was intoxicated, when he addressed his supporters at 90 after the PTI achieved success during the 2013 elections,” said Kamal.
Kamal said despite repeated requests, Altaf Hussain did not pay heed to the advice given by party leaders.
Kamal added that Altaf was intoxicated when addressing the entire Rabita Committee. He went on to state that people have sacrificed their lives and generations for Altaf Hussain, while “we [Rabita Committee members] used to take responsibility for all his mistakes and actions.”
“When I was leaving the party I knew my life would be in danger,” said Kamal, adding, “We knew we will be killed.”
He went on to say, “I knew I could not live in Pakistan. I knew Altaf’s Hussain’s boys from the Indian and South African setup will be active.”
Talking about frequent allegations of Altaf’s links with the Indian intelligence agency (RAW), Kamal stated, “Everyone knows Altaf Hussain has links with RAW.”