KARACHI: Syed Mustafa Kamal, in a press conference on Monday, welcomed Salman Saqib Sheikh, a TV actor to Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP). Salman Saqib Sheikh, more commonly known as ‘mani’, formally announced his loyalties to the PSP on the occasion. During the press conference, many UC chairmen, who were formerly members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), also announced their decision to join the PSP. Welcoming the political representatives of MQM and TV actor Mani to his party, PSP Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal said that PSP’s message was spreading everywhere and people from all walks of life were joining it. While addressing the media, the PSP chairman said that the Muhajirs were now awake. He told the media that the population of Karachi was undercounted below the actual figures. “We filed a petition against the severe irregularities of census records but we were treated as if we were disrupting the election process,” said Mustafa Kamal. “It’s our success that we have been acknowledged by the chief justice of Pakistan and our petition will be heard after elections,” continued the PSP chairman. PSP Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal also appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to take notice of the problems faced by residents of Pakistan Quarters. He said that the residents of Pakistan Quarters had been residing there for generations and they feared eviction. He requested the CJP to solve their problem on humanitarian basis. Praising the PSP, Mustafa Kamal said that it was due to their efforts that the number of missing persons had been reduced from 3000 to 300. Mustafa Kamal said that PSP had bridged the differences between communities and created an environment of brother. “Dolphin is our identity and it represents friendship without any discrimination. Our aim is to serve humanity,” said Mustafa Kamal. During his speech, Mustafa Kamal said that if MQM supporters resorted to physical violence, legal action would be taken against them. He advised them not be misused by their leaders. During his address, Mustafa Kamal said that some leaders of MQM had been speaking up against extortion off late but MQM has been extorting the residents of Karachi for decades. While lambasting the MQM leaders in his speech, Kamal said that they were arranging conventions in Liaquatabad but they remained blind to the condition of the city. PSP Chairman informed the media that the entire panel from Liaquatabad town UC 41 along with 250 residents from Shahnawaz bhutto colony and their UC 1 chairman had joined the PSP. TV actor Salman Saqib Sheikh also addressed the gathering on the occasion. The TV actor said that at first he was disappointed with the situation in Karachi but then he realized that the city had progressed with Mustafa on the helm. He said that he wanted Mustafa Kamal to rebuild Karachi as he had done before. Salman Saqib also urged the people to vote for PSP and select the most appropriate candidates. On the occasion, UC Chairman Waheed told the media that he had pleaded with the MQM to do something for the benefit of the people in his area multiple times but then he realized that they did not want to do anything. He said that after this realization, he decided to join PSP. Waheed said that Mustafa Kamal developed Karachi in his tenure. “The future will continue to be in the hands of PSP,” he added. Published in Daily Times, July 10th 2018.