The MQM leader was mayor of Karachi from 2005-09. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Mustafa Kamal, who is credited for changing the face of Karachi during his time as mayor of the megalopolis from 2005-9, and a sitting Senator, has resigned from his seat, Express News reported on Saturday. Though MQM has denied this.
Kamal cited 'personal obligations' behind his resignation.
However, an MQM spokesperson said that any reports relating to Kamal's resignation are baseless and that he is still associated with the party and will continue his duties as a Senator.
The dynamic ex-mayor, who is much loved and admired by many Karachiites for his many developmental initiatives in the metropolis, was shortlisted for the World Mayor Prize in 2010.
Besides the numerous roads and bridges he helped construct, he is also credited with establishing the first of its kind Command and Control Center in Pakistan, a video surveillance facility for Karachi of international standard. It is situated in the main building of City District Government and equipped with the latest surveillance technology.
Before his election as mayor, he served as the IT Minister for the Sindh province from 2003 to 2005.
COMMENTS (49)
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All these comments are based on speculations. Why cant the MQM or Mustafa Kamal himself come out with clear statements. His resignation to the MQM is like an internal memo, not submitted directly to the chairman senate.
we are missing you Mustafa Kamal. The changed face of Karachi because of Mustafa kamal. Please don't go any where karachi is looking for you. you are the only one who can change Karachi into modern city.
Mustafa Bhai, please take me to Venezuela. I will do anything you ask me to do. I will also polish your shoes. I am a truck driver in KP. Angry Bird, Imran Khan is more busy supporting Taliban against drone strikes. He is not concerned if innocent people are killed by Taliban. PTI and JI party goons attack our trucks and threaten us with dire consequences. Mustafa Bhai, things are getting out of control in KP so please take me to Venezula - actually I want to see all the Miss World of Venezula.
Mafia organisation - Militant organisation
Angry young man karachi and all true karachiites need you
mustafa pls do a rethink ALtaaf is the father of Mqm u may have differences but u cant leave us ur mqm supporters we cant imagine mqm sans mustafa
Keeping past history of MQM, it seems very hard that Mustafa Kamal can easily part his way from the party. Resigning from senate seat cannot be termed as he is leaving party. Only a small chance that he might escape to some unknown country seeking political asylum.
@mrs ahmed: You are right in your admiration and praise for Mustafa Kamal. Kamal does seem like a dynamic and efficient administrator who served Karachi as a Mayor who brought in tremendous development and public infrastructure projects. Had he been elected again he would have further improved Karachi, there is no question about it. I hope people like you will not be disheartened when the news about Mustafa Kamal's resignation and departure from Pakistan is confirmed. That is a certainty, which I am confounded why MQM is denying. Credibility of political parties is diminished in public's eyes when factual realities are flagrantly denied only to be confirmed later. Maybe it's hope against hope that Kamal will change his mind and return. Please do not hold your breath since it's not going to happen, for reasons we should all understand well.
Mustafa Kamal is the future face and composition of the Muttaheda. In fact, he has truly emerged from the 'sands of the desert' in Sindh. He has shown his mettle and proven it also. He cannot be denied the right to speak and as a true leader, build the future of Muttaheda and Pakistan. Salams
Mayors to be considered for the 2010 World Mayor Award were required to be in office on 22 September 2010, the closing date of the popular vote. The following mayors from the shortlist resigned prior to that date for various reasons: Syed Mustafa Kamal (Karachi, Pakistan), Jesse M Robredo (Naga City, Philippines), Beto Richi (Curitiba, Brazil), Ole von Beust (Hamburg, Germany). More on methodology
Mustafa Kamal is the Synonym of MQM and vice versa , I dodnt know and cant beleive that he has left.... If the spokesman is saying that he didnt left so where he is...why he is not coming in media..... I hope he would again be re -elected as mayor or better position ... karachi and karachiites need him...
@ashar: More like M, N, P, Q, R etc., Or she\he will give themselves a new name. Kemal felt his life was more precious than being a Senator and flee the coop to the Emirates.
Rumours are rife that he has left MQM for good and has taken up a job in Dubai. News of altercation with Altaf Bhai is true. However, a sad loss for MQM.
@Shabbir Tu DekheGa: He stopped being a nazim in 2008. Any money he had made through corruption would have been available to him all this while ut he was working hard for MQM all these days though he was not in power. SO clearly the reason he is calling it quits now has to be something else.
@Xnain: Opponents of MQM also accept that this man has credibility, so when he says its his personal matter, then we should accept his explanation, otherwise we negate our own view about him.. Secondly, your comment tells that you are opponet of MQM, if its true then you should feel happy that Altaf is not building second tier leadership. Twice you have negated your own views.
God bless you mustafa , you have done us proud , very proud , pls talk to ALTAAF BHAI heart to heart
Yet again smear campain against MQM, firstly i believe no truth in it,rather it will fizzle out in the same way when pakistani media was counting hours to the arrest of Altaaf hussain strangely MQM is always assumed guilty even before any trial an proofs .Now Mustafa , a silver shinnig in the dark horizen of Pakistani politics where nepotism and hereditory politics rules. He worked day and night sacrificing self and family , and without a single charge of corruption , on him , otherwise hostile media would not have remained silent against MQM if they done any money embazzlement. I believe he must be deeply disheartened by KARACHI public when in elections 2013 a good number of them voted for PTI according AalooUnday guys , the good looking jamaat islami ,this is the right thing karachiite who voted for PTI deserve taliban , he did his best if the p[eople are happy with friends of talibaan , let them vote for PTI , Karachi public should be ashamed for this gross error of judgement , which is against common sense . Well Mustafa could do so much more , good luck to you Mustafa u did a great job , if u like a sabbatical it is fine with all MQM supporters , yes we want refreshed Mustafa , after a while Godbless you .I would believe this news when MQM officially says so ,
If its his personal reason then why we should dig deep to find the real reason. We should respect his privacy and let him do whatever he wants.
@sunnykhan
Stop manipulating the facts. The article clearly says he was shortlisted (that is, he was nominated). Nobody claimed he won. So quit being the person who doesn't want to give credit where it is due.
http://www.worldmayor.com/contest_2010/world-mayor-2010-nominations.html