KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan leader and Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar expressed on Thursday his delight over the courts directive of granting him bail in the last case, paving way for his release from the jail.
It feels good to be home, he told media representatives outside the anti-terrorism court today where he had arrived for a hearing.
He was released on Wednesday after receiving bail in all 39 cases against him. I did not receive the security a mayor is entitled to. But I have faith in Allah. I can protect myself, he said.
Answering a question over his limited powers as a mayor, he said that they will speak to the Sindh government over the issue. CM Sindh is being criticized over being unable to rid the city of garbage," he said.
He was jailed on July 19 this year for a number of criminal cases including his alleged involvement in May 12, 2007 violence in the city, and facilitating hate speeches. Beside Waseem, the ATC judge also granted bail to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Abdul Qadir Patel in the same case - facilitating and providing medical assistance to alleged terrorists and gangsters at a private hospital here.
Immediately after his release, Waseem paid a visit to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's mausoleum where he offered Fatiha and led a floral wreath. Hundreds of workers mainly jubilant youth gathered on the new M.A Jinnah road who cheered his release with dancing and waving national and party flags. "Karachi Welcomes its Mayor" reads a banner placed on a vehicle came to receive the Mayor.
Later, the Mayor visited Yadgar-i-Shuhada located in MQM stronghold Azizabad area. The MQM-P workers came across with MQM - London supporters and chanted slogans against each other.
Waseem Akhtar took the Mayorship oath on August 30 to lead the city's municipal corporation. The MQM leader won elections in December, 5 last year, but he was unable to hold office due to legal issues. However, the much awaited city council election were finally held on August 24 after a lapse of 9 months and Akhtar emerged as the first Mayor-elect from behind the bars in Pakistan's political history.
In its first meeting on September 28, the city council had also adopted a unanimous resolution for the release of the Mayor
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