Timeline: MQM-Pakistan rift over Senate nominations

Differences between MQM-Pakistan chief Farooq Sattar and the party's Rabita Committee emerged earlier this week; however, despite several rounds of talks, both sides stay apart.

February 6

Differences within the party come out in the open after its members disagree over the award of party tickets for the March 3 Senate elections.

Party’s top leaders remove Kamran Tessori from the coordination committee.

February 9

PIB, Bahadurabad groups fail to mend rift, nominate separate candidates for the Upper House.

February 10

Rabita Committee says it has clipped convener's powers to nominate Senate candidates.

The committee asks the Election Commission of Pakistan not to entertain the nominations submitted by Sattar.

The ECP, however, says that the returning officer will decide on the Senate candidates in accordance with the election rules and the party's constitution.

February 11

Rabita Committee retracts letter written to ECP.

Sattar says party matters should not be discussed in public, issues show-cause notices to Rabita Comittee members. Also offers to come up with a new list of Senate candidates after a consensus.

February 12

Rabita Committee claims to have suspended Sattar as party convener.

Sattar dissolves the Rabita Committee.

February 14

Sattar announces intra-party elections. The polls will be held on February 18.