LONDON, July 8: Ex-founding member of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Saleem Shehzad passed away in London Sunday.
Saleem Shahzad was suffering from cancer since 2015. He was admitted to a hospital in London after his condition worsened two days ago.
Saleem Shahzad was accused of his escape from the country on fake identity card in 1990s. He was also declared as proclaimed offender in Dr Asim case.
Ex-MQM leader expressed satisfaction over the judicial system in Pakistan and said that he will face all the charges against him.
On February 6, Saleem Shahzad was taken into custody at Jinnah International Airport upon his arrival from Dubai in different cases including escape from the country on fake ID card in 1990s.
He was also declared as proclaimed offender in Dr Asim case. He joined the PTI after meeting chairperson Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence in January this year. 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.-DNA
