Kamal ropes Raza Haroon into 'new party'

Former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal managed to rope Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) heavyweight Raza Haroon into his yet-unnamed party on Monday.

"We are focused on the work we intend to do. Name, planning and branding come later," Haroon said, referring to the party Kamal and Anis Kaimkhani announced earlier this month. Kamal said the party would be named on March 23.

Following earlier MQM accusations that their workers' loyalties are being 'forcibly changed', the former IT minister slammed Altaf Hussain, saying the MQM chief was reason enough for party members to jump ship.

Haroon pointed out that whenever a dissident left the party, "they [the MQM] claim it is a conspiracy against them. No conspiracy is needed. You [Altaf] are more than enough."

The former MPA lamented the condition of the MQM, saying what used to be a party of literate people had now become a source of embarrassment.

Referring to MQM supremo Altaf Hussain's alleged intoxication while addressing supporters, he said, "Sometimes we had happy hour... Then that happy hour became happy 24 hours."

"Happy hour" was followed by apologies from the entire community and party, he said. "Happy hour has been increasing... Pay attention to what time it is in London."

He termed the Lahore High Court (LHC) ban on MQM supremo Altaf Hussain's speeches and image a "blessing in disguise" and was of the opinion that "the ban should stay in place". If the establishment were to remove the ban on Altaf, "Minus one" [ MQM without Altaf] would happen from within. "There is no need for conspiracy," he said.

"Your marketing is enough for self-destruction of the party." He claimed that MQM leaders were happy about the ban on their party leader's speeches and did not visit the court to repeal the ban.