The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is expected to flex is political muscle by organising a congregation on its 32nd foundation day later this evening.
Preparations for the public gathering are underway, which is the first major party event after Mustafa Kamal, a former party leader, came back to the country earlier this month along with another disgruntled leader Anis Kaimkhani. The duo formed a political party, which so far includes mostly sidelined leaders of the MQM.
Party spokesperson Aminul Haque said that thousands of chairs have been placed at Jinnah ground, which is adjacent to party headquarters Nine Zero, and a 60 by 20 stage has been setup as the event is expected to draw large crowds.
“Today’s event will show the strength of the MQM, as well as the love of workers to charismatic Altaf Hussain,” the party spokesperson said.
The party supremo Altaf Hussain is to address the crowd via video link, dispelling rumours circulating about his ill-health, Haque added.
Meanwhile, Kamal, who was to address a press conference on Thursday, and introduce more dissidents joining him, didn’t speak to the media and instead let speculation arise that those joining him might have backtracked at the last moment.
After changing the time of the press conference thrice and then changing the venue, Kamal instead went to inaugurate a cricket match at a stadium in DHA, and spoke to the crowd and players there, in his first public gathering since his return. The former Nazim is now expected to address a press conference on Monday.