Don’t hinder mayor’s work: MQM-London

Statement came shortly after supporters of party reportedly tried to stop mayor from holding a media talk

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-London convener Nadeem Nusrat has asked his supporters not to hinder the campaign run by Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar.

The statement came shortly after supporters of the party reportedly tried to stop the mayor from holding a media talk in Shah Faisal Colony where he had kicked off his 100-day city campaign.

"[Akhtar] should not include any kind of politics in the development works in the city and should dissociate with the people expelled from the MQM," Nusrat advised the mayor, asking him to stay away from the faction led by Dr Farooq Sattar.

The MQM has split into two groups after the August 22 incidents of an incendiary speech by party founder Altaf Hussain.

The London group leader reiterated his demand of resignations of the representatives of the party in the Senate and national and Sindh assemblies. He said that since they have dissociated themselves from him, they should also return what they got due to him. "First, they submit their resignations and then contest polls on their own. If people elect them again, they can do the politics."

He said that the presence of MQM-Pakistan leaders with the mayor was contentious for party workers and supporters. "Do not take on board any of the elected representatives, including Sattar, until they resign from their seats," he asked Akhtar again.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2016.