MQM founding member Saleem Shahzad dies in London

LONDON: Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Saleem Shahzad passed away at a London hospital after a prolonged illness on Sunday, ARY News reported.

Shahzad, who was one of the founding members of the MQM, was being treated at a hospital in the British capital for cancer.

He is survived by his wife and five daughters.

Shahzad was among many MQM leaders who had distanced themselves with the party founder Altaf Hussain following his Aug 14, 2016’s “anti-Pakistan” speech.

A week after MQM founder Altaf Hussain’s speech that stirred a hornet’s nest in Pakistan, Shahzad announced to return to Pakistan with an aim to ‘strengthen’ MQM’s breakaway faction – MQM Pakistan – led by party leader Farooq Sattar.

The erstwhile MQM leader unveiled his intention of contesting the next general elections with a new political party from Karachi’s Orangi Town constituency.