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.