Daily Times

The Muhajjir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi’s (MQM-H) founder Afaaq Ahmad’s attempted resignation, which was later rejected shook the party claiming to be the true representatives of the Urdu-speaking community.

On 25th July Ahmad, who was considered to be a strong candidate lost to MQM-P’s Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan by a margin of over 46,000 votes. The loss prompted Ahmad to stay away from politics but this move led to further deterioration in the party’s situation. Activist members like Afzal Koti and Kamran Rizvi have recently followed Aamir Khan to join the MQM-P.

Internal rifts and power grabs and culminated into further departures such as those of the vice chairman Naeem Hashmat and joint secretary Raza Hussain. Many discontent workers have also parted ways with the party as well. Discontented MQM-H workers are poised towards other outfits such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Pakistan Peoples Party, (PPP) Muttahida Qaumi Movement, (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (F).

Sources revealed that these outfits particularly the MQM-P have offered designations to MQM-H deserters. PTI spokesperson, while talking to Daily Times, asserted that while a large group wants in they are shying away due to concerns that corrupt individuals might infiltrate the party. He claimed that Khurrum Sher Zaman, the PTI Sindh chief banned new joinings due to security concerns. “We have Karachi in our grip, and we will keep it that way by warding off corrupt individuals” he added.

While the MQM-H spokesperson Abdul Hameed agrees that the party has a small loyal base he denies rumors of widespread defection terming his workers “ideological”. “No one’s leaving the party before the elections” he maintained.

.Political pundits on the other hand disagree. MQP-H is facing dark times ahead especially if internal fractionalization is not kept under check, they opined.

Published in Daily Times, October 18^th 2018.