On insistence of MQM workers, Altaf withdraws resignation from party

MQM chief seeks time to deliberate on a new formula for reforming Rabita Committee.

KARACHI: Hours after announcing to resign as chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, on the insistence of party workers, withdrew of his resignation. At the same time he also announced a formula to create a new Rabita Committee after a brief pause, Express News reported.

The MQM chief explained that members of Rabita Committee had caused him a lot of grief. They did not pay any heed to his advice or requests, made false promises and betrayed him. He further bemoaned mounting complaints from workers against members of Rabita Committee. In light of that, Altaf announced early on Sunday morning that he would step down as party chief and handed over all his responsibilities to the Rabita Committee.

But in the subsequent hours, that saw a large number of worried MQM supporters descend on the party's headquarters in Karachi where several Rabita Committee members resigned and handed all responsibility back to the party founder, Altaf consulted party workers via telephone.

However, on the insistence of MQM workers and supporters, Altaf withdrew his resignation.

Altaf said he does not want the RC, either in London nor in Karachi. "But the party cannot function without a structure."

He sought counsel of MQM workers, whether he should give the RC one last chance, to which was met with loud 'no' from the workers. Some suggest that the old members, who had been removed from the RC previously, should be brought back.

Altaf proposed whether members of election cell should interview candidates of good character, proposed from every sector, and then include them in the Rabita Committee. As these new members are added, those members who had were causing the MQM chief grief, would be let go.

But workers asked Altaf to immediately remove those members from Rabita Committee who had caused him grief.

After exchanging proposals on how to reform the Rabita Committee, he sought some time from MQM workers to fine tune a formula to reform Rabita Committee.

"We have to check which elements have managed to infiltrate our ranks who are causing conflict between Shia and Sunnis. Once they are found then they will be dealt with as per the courts of heaven and of earth."

Altaf angry at MQM leaders for not heeding his advice, requests

Earlier, Altaf announced that he was handing all of his responsibilities to the Rabita Committee, who would be empowered to choose a new leader in his stead.

"Despite my multiple requests, Rabita Committee leaders did not change its attitude. They were adamant whether due to their stubbornness or ego, and only cared for themselves in their feudal and kingly ways," Altaf lamented.

"I am tired of advising, making requests, but they were all ignored."

Altaf added that he knew of a faction within the party which had celebrated the arrest of the party chief in England.

However, Altaf said that till he lived, he will keep on fighting for their rights and the truth.

"I hand over all my responsibilities to the Rabita Committee with the condition that you run the party with complete honesty, sincerity, commitment and wisdom."

He apologised to the people for mistakes that he had made and that he had failed to take workers to their promised destination.

Altaf said Rabita Committee can choose a new, suitable leader in his stead.

The party chief, in a veiled reference to the protests in Islamabad further complained that there is one law for his political party, and a separate law for everyone else. The party supremo added that if he and his supporters had marched in to the red zone, they would have been welcomed with bullets, if he would have asked his workers to rough up police officers, cases would have been lodged against him. "Those protesting in Islamabad are considered sons of the soil, while people like Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf, and myself are not."

Commenting on the treason case on Musharraf, the MQM chief said that if the former dictator is to be tried for treason, so should those who helped him, including the judges who took oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) and all those lawyers who ran the movement to restore the judiciary.

MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari explained to Express News that the party chief was angry with party workers for their short comings, which had prompted the statement. Sabzwari added that this was a matter of great concern for them, however, they will always consider Altaf as the party chief.

Shortly after the announcement, a large number of MQM workers and members gathered at party headquarters nine-zero in Karachi and raised slogans in favour of Altaf Hussain.

MQM parliamentarians, workers resign

MQM Senators, MNAs and MPAs submitted their resignations to the Rabita Committee noting that if Altaf Hussain will not lead the party, then they do not wish remain members of parliament.

All members of Rabta Committee London have resigned from their posts as of now and have vowed to work as Karkuns of #OnlyAltafHussain

— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) September 14, 2014

Along with the parliamentarians, MQM members of the Rabita Committee also resigned from the committee.

I am no more member of Rabita Committee of #MQM. If Altaf Bhai resigned then I can't remain the member of Rabita Committee#OnlyAltafHussain

— Mustafa Azizabadi (@azizabadi) September 14, 2014

#OnlyAltafHussain I have submitted my resignation as Member RC #Pakistan & it's a Amanat from QT #AltafHussain Bhai pic.twitter.com/Ermc44Wl8g

— Wasay Jalil (@WasayJalil) September 14, 2014

On September 4, the MQM chief had warned the Karachi Tanzeemi Committee to address grievances of workers, and on September 12, he dissolved the committee.