MQM founding member Saleem Shahzad joins PTI

ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-London former leader, Saleem Shahzad has joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the media reported on Tuesday.

PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry revealed the news in a tweet.

PTI welcomes #SaleemShahzad #Karachi pic.twitter.com/zDKqGvmlTj

— Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) January 9, 2018

Saleem Shahzad, who was a close aide of MQM founder Altaf Hussain, has yet to formally announce his joining.

An official statement from the PTI, however, did not elaborate on whether Shahzad would form an electoral alliance with the PTI in Karachi, but a notification stated that the two exchanged views on the political situation of the country, and resolved to work towards progress in Karachi.

There are around two dozen criminal cases lodged against Shahzad by the Karachi police.

In July last year, Shahzad said he may form his own political party, claiming that it will be different from prevailing splinter groups of MQM.

In Feb 2017, he was arrested by police upon his arrival in Karachi from London ending a 24-year self-imposed exile.

Shahzad, a founding member of the MQM, was facing charges of providing treatment and shelter to alleged terrorists. He was released after four months.