Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Faisal Sabzwari on Monday claimed that other political groups were trying to break up his party.
Interacting with a private news channel, Sabzwari, however, admitted the fact that his party had been through difficult times internally, but said this difference of opinion did not come to the fore.
The Muttahida leader also asserted that decisions in the party were not being made at the whims of someone, referring to MQM founder Altaf Hussain.
Denying reports of a friction with MQM-P chief Farooq Sattar, Sabzwari said party leaders might have a different opinion on the various issues, but there were no factions in the MQM-P.
Sabzwari’s denial comes days after former MQM-P leader Salman Mujahid Baloch, who had recently been expelled from the party, claimed that there has been an evident divide in the party.
“One faction is headed by Farooq Sattar, Kamran Tessori, Qamar Naveed, Khawaja Sohail Mansoor while other one includes Aamir Khan, Faisal Sabzwari and Khawaja Izharul Hassan,” Baloch had said during his appearance on programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ last week.
“Farooq Sattar is the senior most member among us all and has a higher political repute,” Sabzwari said, adding that Kamran Tessori is the deputy convener of MQM-P’s coordination committee.
He went on to say that they wish their members of the National Assembly are not under pressure to defect to another party.
“Those who left the MQM-P for PSP have not yet tendered resignations (from assemblies),” he said.
“They still are members of the assemblies and file their asset details.”
On Sunday, party chief Farooq Sattar threatened of resigning from the Senate if any party leader was taken to another “camp” again.
He was referring to MQM Senator Mian Attique Sheikh, who cast his vote in favour of Elections Bill 2017 enabling former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to head the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in the centre.
Addressing a news conference in Karachi, Sattar said he has however taken resignations from some party leaders during a meeting. “[Now] the Election Commission of Pakistan should announce by-polls for seats vacated by those party leaders who have resigned.”
He alleged it was Pak Sarzameen Party that was working to end the MQM-P’s representation in the Senate, adding the time had come to make a decision as members of MQM-P in the Sindh Assembly were being forced to change their loyalties.
