KARACHI - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) former leader Saleem Shahzad on Saturday announced to form his own political party.

Talking to media men outside Karachi`s City Court, Saleem informed that a public gathering had been scheduled to be held on December 16 in Orangi Town, at which he would announce his future political strategy.

Affirming that his new political party would not be a bunch of anti-state or criminal elements, Saleem said that none of the elements involved in target killings, extortions, ransom, china-cutting and other crimes would be part of the party.

“Only the educated people, belonging to middle class, would be included in its ranks, and the party’s agenda will be to serve the masses without any discrimination,” he clarified.

Referring to Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), MQM former leader said that the party he was going to launch would not be a dry cleaner.

It is pertinent to mention here that Saleem, former confidante of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, had announced to support MQM-Pakistan, led by Dr Farooq Sattar after a split in the party.

He, earlier this year, had ended his self-imposed exile, and was arrested as soon as he landed at Karachi international airport in February in connection with cases of murder, kidnappings, arson and rioting way back in 1992.

After release from the prison on bail, Saleem was seen active in bringing all factions of MQM on one platform.

At a press conference at KPC along with Mohajir Itehad Tehreek (MIT) Chairman Saleem Haider, he announced to hold a “Mohajir Jirga” to eliminate all the reservations of MQM factions and appealed to the leaders of PSP, MQM-P and MQM-Haqqiqi to unite for the prosperity of Mohajir community.

Furthermore, he had predicted that MQM-P and Mustafa Kamal’s Pak Sarzameen Party would join hands on the 12th of Rabbiul Awwal.