MQM elements involved in extortion, killings, claims Shahzad

A suspended leader of Pakistan's Muttahida Qaumi Movement has claimed that several elements within the party were involved in extortion, killings and smuggling.
Saleem Shahzad, a long serving MQM member, was suspended by the party leadership this week for violating the party's charter and discipline.
"The party leadership knew I have decided to resign from the basic membership," Shahzad told a private news channel in London while reacting to news of his suspension.
"There is a corrupt lobby in the Muttahida which is against the ideological workers. These elements are involved in extortion, murder, smuggling and other illegal activities," the London-based leader said.

In a brief press release issued in Karachi yesterday, the MQM said its coordination committee had suspended the basic membership of Saleem Shahzad for an indefinite period for violating party discipline.
Shahzad, once considered as a most-trusted lieutenant of MQM chief Altaf Hussain, claimed he would also name the people who had made a fortune by illegal means.
"There is a long list of things I want to inform the nation about," he added.