Cracks in MQM-P over Siddiqui's federal cabinet induction, change of governor

• Khushbakht Shujaat being tipped for Sindh governor post.
• MQM-P members raise strong reservations over Shujaat.
• Differences intensify after Siddiqui made federal minister.

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) is facing internal disputes over its chief Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s induction into the federal cabinet and appointment of a new governor replacing Kamran Tessori.

According to a The News report quoting sources, the name of party leader Khushbakht Shujaat is being tipped for the post of Sindh governor by "influential circles".

MQM-P members have raised strong reservations, alleging that they were not consulted regarding the governor's name, while Shujaat has also remained inactive and has not rendered any significant services for the party. 

The differences within the party intensified after the party's ad hoc committee head Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was inducted in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's federal cabinet and took oath as a minister in the Centre.

Party sources say that when the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) merged into the MQM-P and old members, including Farooq Sattar, returned, everyone unanimously decided that no member or head of the MQM-P’s Coordination Committee would hold any government position or ministry.

However, Siddiqui’s own swearing-in as a federal minister has exacerbated internal disputes, causing the party to face difficulties once again, with senior party leaders trying to extricate the party from this crisis.

Last week, the party's Rabita Committee — the top decision-making body — was also dissolved days after its top leaders’ audios were leaked on social media.

Siddiqui, according to the party's spokesperson, made the decision to dissolve the incumbent Rabita Committee.

"The Rabita Committee stands dissolved. It will be formed anew. In the second phase, all departments, provincial committees, zones, towns, and UCs will be reorganised,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that Siddiqui has formed an ad-hoc committee, which he will lead. It will also comprise Mustafa Kamal, Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil, Anis Kaimkhani, Kaif-ul-Wara, and Rizwan Babar.

Meanwhile, a source within the party, confirmed to Geo News: “The Rabita Committee has been dissolved due to audio leaks.”

Two audio leaks — one of Kamal and another of Sindh Governor and MQM-P leader Kamran Tessori — of the Rabita Committee’s meetings went viral on social media last month.

Both leaders admitted that their audio leaks were genuine, but Kamal had gone ahead and alleged that it was released by a member of the MQM-London who was also a member of the Rabita Committee.