Nabil Gabol resigns from MQM, National Assembly

In a separate development, MQM chief dismisses two joint in-charges of the Rabita Committee over issue of timings

KARACHI: Politician Nabil Gabol resigned as member of the National Assembly as well as from his party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), on Tuesday, saying he would provide details and announce his future course of action in a press conference.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Gabol, who was at the NA speaker’s office, confirmed he had resigned as an MNA, and added: “I have also quit the MQM.”

During the 2013 general elections, the MQM awarded its most precious seat in the National Assembly, NA-246, to Gabol. The constituency comprises of areas which include party’s headquarters Nine Zero, and party strongholds Liaquatabad and FB Area.

For the past couple of months, however, differences had arisen between Gabol and the MQM leadership. Gabol did not attend important meetings and remained absent at party rallies and gatherings. Further, he did not visit his constituency.  Gabol had recently claimed he was receiving threats from people within the MQM and that his life was at danger. He also argued he was never invited to party meetings.

Earlier this month, the party had asked for Gabol’s resignation, but the two seemed to have sorted out their differences.

Nabeel Gabol with MQM party workers. PHOTO: ONLINE

In March, 2013, Gabol left the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after two decades to join the MQM. He also served as an MNA from Lyari with the PPP. At the time, Gabol claimed he was being sidelined and that the PPP was no more a party of Benazir Bhutto and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Gabol, who played a major role in the development of the Gwadar Port in 2008, has previously been the speaker of the assembly and has twice been appointed as mayor of Karachi.

Nabeel with former Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani. PHOTO: ONLINE

MQM chief dismisses Rabita Committee in-charges

In a separate development, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain dismissed two joint in-charges of the Rabita Committee on Tuesday over an issue of their ‘timings.’

According to party sources, the in-charges were removed by the MQM chief in a meeting on Tuesday morning. Altaf said they were not giving enough time to their duties and were not arriving at the MQM headquarters on time.

The dismissed joint in-charges Amir Khan and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui would, however, continue to serve as members of the Rabita Committee. The third joint in-charge, Dr Nusrat, will continue to retain his position.

Meanwhile, Kaiful Wara, another MQM leader, has been made the temporary in-charge of Rabita Committee, and will be heading the body for one week.

For the past several months, the Rabita Committee has been undergoing changes. Just earlier this month, the head of the Rabita Committee, Qamar Mansoor, was removed when workers complained about his attitude.