MQM-P factions open backchannel talks

Two days after a violent clash rattled the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) headquarters in Bahadurabad, an uneasy calm returned to the party's power centre on Tuesday, as senior leaders moved to project unity amid behind-the-scenes contacts between rival factions and mounting pressure for a formal resolution.

Senior leaders, including Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Anees Qaimkhani, arrived at the party's headquarters, where organisational matters were taken up. Speaking informally to reporters, Kamal dismissed reports of a tug-of-war within the party.

Sources said contacts had been established between the two factions - one led by Mustafa Kamal and the other by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui - following Sunday's clash, with the possibility of a joint press conference being considered. However, the party leadership neither confirmed nor denied the development. Close aides of Siddiqui, who is also the MQM-P convener, remained absent from the party headquarters.

Meanwhile, two days after the incident involving a scuffle and aerial firing at the MQM-P headquarters, an FIR has yet to be registered.

Police said no MQM-P faction had approached them for the registration of a case so far, adding that if no complaint is filed, the case would be registered on behalf of the state. Sources said a draft FIR had been prepared and would be registered after approval from senior officers.

In a related development, police have detained several MQM-P office-bearers and workers allegedly involved in the clash during raids, including some key individuals. Police said the detained persons could be formally arrested once the FIR is registered.