MQM-Pakistan lawmaker Irtiza Khalil joins Mustafa Kamal's PSP

KARACHI: Provincial lawmaker for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan, Irtiza Khalil Farooqui, announced Friday that he was joining the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP). Irtiza was a member of the Sindh Assembly from the PS-119 Karachi seat.

"I welcome Irtiza to the party. I wish him all the best. I hope his addition proves beneficial for us and and all others who are just standing on the line waiting for a chance to join PSP," said PSP chief Mustafa Kamal speaking to reporters at the Karachi Press Club.

Kamal, a former Karachi mayor, was flanked by Irtiza and other members of his party, which was born following a split from the MQM in March last year.

Irtiza is the latest defection to the PSP from the MQM, which itself split into two factions when the MQM Pakistan distanced itself from the party founder and London-based leadership.

Geo News had earlier reported the likely defection of an MQM-Pakistan leader to the PSP earlier today, before the official announcement by Kamal.

The defection is significant as political parties in Pakistan gear up for general elections scheduled in 2018.

The development comes after Pak Sarzameen Party workers threatened not to let the Sindh government continue to run until the Pakistan People’s Party led provincial administration solves issues pertaining to Karachi.

Protesting outside Karachi Press Club this morning, the workers said the Sindh government had ruined the public departments by not properly managing the affairs running there.

PSP workers have said the provincial government should fulfil the basic needs, including the provision of potable water, electricity and a proper sewage system.

They alleged that the Sindh government has taken over the local government department so as to carry out corrupt activities.