MQM's Maulana Thanvi elected unopposed as senator

The seat was vacated by Karachi former mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal.

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supporter Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi was elected unopposed as a senator on the seat vacated by Karachi former mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal, Express News reported on Wednesday.

Kamal had resigned from the Senate on April 21, citing personal reasons.

Kamal had distanced himself from the MQM after he left the country in August 2013.  The party cited ‘personal reasons’ and ‘medical treatment of his wife’ as the motives behind his sudden departure from the country, as well as from party politics.

Once an active and vocal member of the party’s Rabita Committee, Kamal took oath as a senator in March 2012, and his term was due to end in March 2018.

He was the city nazim from 2005 to 2010.

Kamal, who is currently in Dubai, is said to not be in touch with any of the party leaders, including MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

According to sources, he was unhappy about the policies of the party, which introduced a new setup of the Rabita Committee last year.