KARACHI: The Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) on Wednesday announced to forge a joint political alliance and also decided to contest the next general election under a single banner, manifesto and symbol. Addressing a joint press conference along with PSP chief Mustafa Kamal at the Karachi Press Club, MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that they were joining hands for the greater good of Karachi and to prevent the city’s vote bank from splitting. “MQM and PSP have decided to forge a joint political alliance, a working relationship. We plan to step into next elections with a joint slogan, joint manifesto and joint electoral sign,” he said, as he invited other political forces to join the alliance. “We have put aside our differences in the larger interest of the people of Karachi and Sindh. We want to ensure participation of all segments of society in the well-being of Karachi and the province,” he added. “Neither of the parties will lose its identity… this is only a political alliance and an oath to work together,” Sattar clarified, to a question. “The modalities of this alliance will be decided in the days to come.” He said they wanted to ensure that peace in Karachi was long lasting and unrest did not return to the metropolis. “Political violence should never be allowed to return to Karachi,” he said. “Pakistan, the province of Sindh and Karachi have been besieged in many crises. In particular, the parties active in Karachi and Sindh have felt that we not only have to address problems concerning Karachi and Sindh, but also those that concern the wider country,” Sattar said. PSP’s Mustafa Kamal while addressing the press conference thanked Farooq Sattar and his team members. He endorsed Farooq Sattar’s views and announced that they were ready to wage a struggle for the province under a joint manifesto and name. “We are ready to go hand in hand … our struggle will be focused on unity and well-being of all segments of society in Karachi … this city is housing a number of Sindhi, Urdu speaking, Punjabi, Baloch, Pashtoon and other brethrens.” Kamal said they would not do ‘Mohajir politics’ but will, instead, work for the betterment of the entire community irrespective of their creed and colour. “Right from the day one we held opinion that Altaf Hussain was, is and will remain the chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement … therefore this alliance will not function under the name of MQM. We began our journey to end Altaf Hussain’s undue influence on the people of Karachi and we have not retreated on that,” he stated. Rejecting the interim results of fresh census, the PSP chief said, “If people cannot be counted correctly then nothing positive can be done [in this country].” Published in Daily Times, November 9th 2017.