London group 'expels' four senior leaders from MQM-Pakistan

Leaders' membership revoked over 'serious' violation of party code of conduct, says statement

KARACHI: Days after Altaf Hussain in a video message asked party lawmakers to resign from their seats, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's 'London group' 'revoked' on Wednesday membership of four senior leaders from MQM-Pakistan.

According to a statement by the MQM London Rabita Committee, Amir Khan, parliamentarian Kishwer Zehra, Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izharul Hasan and MPA Faisal Sabzwari were 'expelled from the party over serious violation of party's code of conduct'.

AmirKhan,Faisal Subzwari,Kh.IzharulHasan& Kishwer Zohra has been expelled from #MQM
Decision taken in a meeting under Convener Nadeem Nusrat pic.twitter.com/DbSBUukRyV

— Wasay Jalil (@WasayJalil) October 12, 2016

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Nadeem Nusrat, which was endorsed by Altaf, the statement added.

عامر خان ، خواجہ اظہارالحسن، فیصل سبزواری اور کشورزہرا کو تحریک کی بنیادی رکنیت سے خارج کردیاگیا https://t.co/7GqB4RKpux #MQM #Pakistan

— MQM (@OfficialMqm) October 12, 2016

The party also asked its workers and supporters to cut ties with the four ousted leaders, as well as Farooq Sattar who was 'expelled' earlier.

Following Altaf's August 22 anti-Pakistan speech, the MQM has split into two factions: one headed by Sattar in Pakistan, while the other by the leadership in London.

The rift between the two groups is gaining momentum each day as either side tries to counter a move by the other.

On Tuesday, the MQM-Pakistan had disbanded its student wing, All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO). The APMSO, however, issued a statement, saying only Altaf could dissolve the organisation and the MQM had no right to make such a decision.