Why did Fauzia Kasuri join PSP?

KARACHI: Fauzia Kasuri, who quit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), made the shocking decision to join the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) led by Mustafa Kamal.

Ms. Kasuri, while appearing on ARY News show 11th Hour hosted by Waseem Badami on Thursday, was asked about her decision to quit a mainstream party and join one which was confined to Karachi.

She said that she had dedicated over two decades to a party which had called for change, struggled for justice in the country, and vowed to bring new faces to the political area. She said that Imran Khan had said PTI will be a party challenging the status quo, and empower a middle-class leadership.

When asked if PTI failed to bring new faces to politics, while the PSP also had defectors from the MQM, she replied: “A few new faces are enough for decorative purposes, but you need a strong force to bring any substantial change.”

She said PTI entered the political arena in the 2013 general elections and won several seats, mainly for bringing in new faces, but soon diverged.

Admitting that PSP was the breakaway faction of a party confined to Sindh, she said that Mustafa Kamal had worked tirelessly for development in Karachi, and received international recognition for it.

“No doubt they were part of the MQM, but when they received evidence that it was a terrorist organisation, and had links with RAW, they were they first to stand up against it,” she said.

READ MORE: After quitting PTI, Fauzia Kasuri joins PSP

When asked if PTI brought a significant change in Khyber Pakthunkhwa, and improved institutions relatively better than previous governments, she said that there was a mixed opinion and the decision will be made by the voters.

“I think there could have been a lot more change. I am not sure, but only know what I’ve heard from the media and others,” she said. “PTI had made several lofty claims and hence there is mixed opinion.”

She said PTI failed to set up an independent accountability commission, fired the head of the existing one, and even failed to eradicate corruption within ninety days as promised.

“I wish they get a chance to bring the change they promised,” she said. When asked if she believes that PTI will be given another opportunity, she said that party considers itself as the government in-waiting.

She said there were no charges of financial corruption against Mustafa Kamal. However, when asked that even Imran Khan also had so such allegations, she said that Imran had held no political office, and political opponents had made several allegations against the PTI.

When asked about a possible political alliance between the PSP and PTI, she said that it would be much appreciated, and she had been advocate of mutual understanding between parties.