KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is embroiled in internal disagreements over its chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s appointment to the federal cabinet and the selection of a new governor to replace Kamran Tessori.
According to a The News story citing sources, “influential circles” are tipping party leader Khushbakht Shujaat for the position of Sindh governor.
MQM-P members have expressed severe reservations, claiming that they were not consulted about the governor’s name, and Shujaat has also been idle and has not provided any important contributions to the party.
Differences inside the party widened after the party’s ad hoc committee leader, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, was appointed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s federal cabinet and took oath as a minister at the Centre.
According to party sources, when the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) amalgamated with the MQM-P and previous members, including Farooq Sattar, returned, it was unanimously determined that no member or chairman of the MQM-P’s Coordination Committee would take any government position or ministry.
However, Siddiqui’s own swearing-in as a federal minister has worsened internal disputes, prompting the party to confront difficulties once more, with senior party officials attempting to steer the party out of this crisis.
The party’s Rabita Committee, the top decision-making body, was also dissolved last week, just days after audio recordings of its top executives were posted on social media.
Siddiqui, according to the party’s spokeswoman, decided to dissolve the current Rabita Committee.
“The Rabita Committee has dissolved. It will be formed anew. In the second phase, all departments, provincial committees, zones, towns, and UCs will be reorganised,” the spokesperson said.
