THE general secretary of the Afaq Ahmed-led Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) along with many party activists announced joining the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday. Nadeemul Islam and other party activists renounced their association with MQM-H (Afaq) and apologised to MQM chief Altaf Hussain for their affiliation with Afaq Ahmed who had, according to Islam, misguided them.
In a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club, Islam said, “Being the secretary general of the party, I hereby announce disbanding the MQM-H (Afaq) in the best interests of the Urdu-speaking people.”
Flanked by MQM-H (Afaq) Central Executive Committee members Irfan Engineer, Asif Lodhi, Hyderabad in-charge Tariq Sheikh, joint in-charge Irfan Qureshi and other activists, Islam said that their mistakes had harmed and violated the interests of the Urdu-speaking people.
He said, “Afaq Ahmed let us remain engaged in a war-like situation for two decades under the pretext of fighting for the rights of the Urdu-speaking people. We have realised our mistake now and offer our most humble apology to Altaf Hussain. We seek his forgiveness for our misdeeds that we had committed indeliberately.”
Islam said that at the moment, he has decided to leave the MQM-H (Afaq), whereas other activists would also follow his way soon.
Extending his complete support to Altaf Hussain, he said that the MQM chief was the right and courageous man to lead the Urdu-speaking people and those belonging to different castes whose rights have been infringed upon.
Responding to a question, he said that there are around 450 activists associated with the MQM-H (Afaq) and all of them would join the MQM soon.
MQM Central Information Committee member Khwaja Izharul Hassan told Pakistan Today that 450 activists of the MQM-H have joined the MQM after apologising to Altaf Hussain who has accepted their apologies.
“Those who have apologised to the MQM chief have been asked to report to party unit offices in their respective areas,” he added.
On the other hand, MQM-H (Afaq) Vice Chairman Shamshad Ghauri said that the party would not be disbanded after Nadeemul Islam’s disassociation and would continue working for the betterment of the Urdu-speaking people.
“Any suitable person who has rendered sacrifices for the Urdu-speaking people would fill the gap soon. Disassociating from the party is the decision of the party’s secretary general and not party policy,” he added.
He rejected the impression that 450 activists of the MQM-H (Afaq) have parted ways with the party and joined the MQM, and claimed that only five activists have joined the rival party. “I cannot name those activists until I receive confirmation,” he added.
