We want to make Karachi a cradle of peace: Kamal

Karachi

Former Karachi mayor Mustafa Kamal has vowed to change “the terrible history of the city” and make it a cradle of peace.

Speaking to media in the Defence Stadium on Thursday night, his first address outside his DHA residence called the Kamal House since his return to the city from Dubai on March 3, the erstwhile leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement said he and other leaders of his yet-to-be-named political party wanted to unite the people before repairing roads and renovating parks.

Kamal, who was accompanied by Dr Sagheer Ahmed, Raza Haroon and Anis Qaimkhani, said they had raised Pakistan’s flag and wanted to give respect and love to their enemy.

The former senator hoped that Karachi would return to normalcy in the coming six months.

Earlier this month, the 44-year old leader returned to Karachi after a prolonged absence of 31 months and announced a new party in a direct challenge to the MQM.

Since his return, six prominent leaders have so far announced that they are joining the party.

The former MQM leaders to have joined the dissidents so far include Anees Qaimkhani, MPAs Iftikhar Alam and Dr Sagheer Ahmed, and ex-MQM leader Waseem Aftab. 

The latest and biggest addition to the yet-unnamed party was former MQM provincial minister Raza Haroon, who announced his decision to join Kamal at a press conference on March 14.

Haroon, a former Sindh IT minister, showered praise on Kamal’s decision to launch his party, saying that it was a brave and patriotic step by the ex-mayor.

“I believe March 3 is a day when a historic step was taken in the best interest of Pakistan,” he said. 

Speaking to The News a day earlier, Kamal had said that preparations were underway to hold a massive public rally at the Jinnah Ground on March 23.

Anis Qaimkhani said thousands of people were contacting them and they were considering their suggestions.

Dr Sagheer Ahmed, who was the first sitting MQM MPA to join the dissidents' group said they want to reclaim the identity of Karachi, a city long believed to be the political stronghold of the MQM.