Daily Times

KARACHI: Over half a dozen members of former coordination committee of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-Altaf) are willing to join the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and some members want to become part of the Sindh ruling party unconditionally, it is reliably learnt on Wednesday.

Different tiers of former MQM loyalists are in contact with the party members of the Karachi Division to join Pakistan People’s Party, a senior source in the party told Daily Times. “Over half a dozen senior members of former MQM’s Rabita Committee are willing to join PPP but the date and time of the announcement has not yet been finalised,” the source said. “The names of these members remain secret due to some personal reasons,” the source informed. “Doors of PPP as a party are always open for everyone but not for those who are involved in land grabbing, China cutting, terrorism and other criminal activities. Some of the MQM workers are in contact with the office-bearers of PPP Karachi Division as the city organisation will finalise such matters after consultation with the local leadership,” the source informed.

The office bearers in PPP confirmed the development and said, “PPP at different levels including Karachi Division is in contact with many members of former MQM, but he could not confirm the names and exact numbers of them (MQM workers). The Karachi Division is also working on it at different levels for finalizing the names with the help of local leadership.

Moreover, after the start of the security operation in Karachi in September 2013 against criminal elements, a large numbers of political workers who were not involved in any criminal activity especially the MQM-Altaf workers are depressed and looking for other options to continue political struggle. There are many workers who are looking at different options like joining PPP, Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).