Unified MQM factions mull LG polls strategy

Meeting held to discuss plans following Supreme Court decision

KARACHI:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Coordination Committee after succeeding in materialising the return of dissidents Syed Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaim Khani and Farooq Sattar in Muutahida's fold on Thursday held an important meeting chaired by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

The meeting considered the issues regarding the local bodies' elections and resolved to wait for the decision of the Supreme Court. Another meeting will be held on Friday evening (today) in which the future plan of action will be decided.

The meeting was held at MQM-P Bahadurabad office in which Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaim Khani, Farooq Sattar, Waseem Akhtar, Aamir Khan, Khawaja Izharul Hasan, Aminul Haq, Faisal Sabzwari and other members of the coordination committee were present.

Siddiqui welcomed Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaim Khani and Farooq Sattar and consulted them on important issues. According to sources, various options were considered regarding the local bodies elections. The coordination committee is waiting for the decision of the Supreme Court on Friday in light of which future strategy will be formulated.

Sources say that MQM-P is considering various options, including separating itself from the coalition government and joining the opposition.

Meanwhile, MQM's Senior Deputy Conveyor Aamir Khan, who had been inactive for three months, also turned up at the meeting few minutes before the merger of PSP in MQM-P, surprising many on the occasion.

Talking to Express News, Aamir Khan said that he has just come from Dubai yesterday and has no resentment with MQM factions reuniting. All decisions are within my knowledge, and I am aware of the situation, he said, adding that MQM is a reality as time has proved and all should come on one platform. Unity is blessed if the intentions are good.

Aamir Khan was asked whether he could sit with Anees Qaim Khani and Mustafa Kamal, to which he said that there is no final word in politics, and can sit with everyone. It will only benefit from the unity that is taking place, he said. Aamir Khan was also present in the press conference and also participated in the Coordination Committee meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2023.