Federal government to reopen MQM-P’s legal offices after security clearance

Even after one year, party has been unable to reestablish itself in Sindh


Amir Khan October 19, 2017
MQM-P chief Dr Farooq Sattar addressing a press conference in Karachi. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

KARACHI: The federal government has decided that the permission to reopen MQM-P’s closed legal offices will be granted after acquiring clearance from the Sindh government and security agencies.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, Farooq Sattar said his party was facing difficulties in commencing its political activities. The MQM-P chief conveyed his concerns to the prime minister over the closure of the party’s legal offices which had rendered its organisational setup inactive.

The premier assured the party that the promises made to the party leadership by his predecessor Nawaz Sharif would be fulfilled. Regarding the issue of missing and jailed workers, the prime minister directed Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal to resolve the issue as per the law and due consultations with the relevant institutions.

Promises will be fulfilled, PM assures MQM-P

Meanwhile, the leadership of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has successfully patched up differences among several party members through mutual consultation.

Differences that had cropped up over organisational matters were mitigated in an informal huddle chaired by MQM-P chief Dr Farooq Sattar in presence of prominent leaders of the party including Amir Khan, Kunwar Naveed Jamil and others, sources privy to the development told the Daily Express. Issuing a final warning to all the party members, Sattar said those who fail to dissipate differences will be expelled from the party, the sources added.

The MQM-P leadership also agreed to assign important responsibilities to senior party leaders on an organisational level in order to resolve the ongoing structural issues among its ranks. “The party has decided to form a coordinated strategy to resolve present organisational and political issues,” sources revealed.

Nadeem Nusrat denies reports he's parted ways with Altaf Hussain

According to the new strategy, the party’s current organisational structure will soon be revamped across the country with a formal announcement expected within two months. The party will also start its membership campaign by the end of October whereas a mass contact campaign will be initiated next year.

During the meeting, it was decided that the MQM-P chief will personally oversee the political and organisational affairs of the party. “The party has decided to increase its contacts with other political parties and if need be, a political alliance may be formed in the next general elections,” sources said. “The party leadership will also consider organising huge public rallies in the metropolis by the start of the next year.”

The Karachi-based party is facing serious internal issues with mass defections and emerging differences among its leaders. MQM-P was formed after the incendiary remarks by party founder Altaf Hussain in his August 22 speech last year. However, even after one year the party has not been able to reestablish itself in Sindh despite the fact that it has the complete political and organisational setup of the previous regime.

MQM splinter groups to come under one roof

Sources said the party has been virtually divided into several groups. Further, some leaders are said to have serious reservations over the joining of Kamran Tessori, a former Pakistan Muslim League-Functional leader. Tessori, however, rejected the reports of differences within the party over his membership. “I am working in accordance with the party leadership,” he told the Daily Express.

Party spokesperson Aminul Haque said all leaders and workers were united under Sattar’s leadership. He said small organisational issues have been resolved with mutual consultation and the party will soon announce a fresh political strategy.

 

 

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ