MQM-P leader Shabbir Qaimkhani quits party

KARACHI: The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM-P) was dealt with severe blow on Wednesday when prominent leader, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, announced to quit the party.

The former provincial minister was a member of the MQM’s coordination committee and was part of the Bahadurabad faction. He had also decided not to contest the recent Senate elections.

Qaimkhani reportedly released an audio message saying that the ongoing internal rift was widening the differences in the party, leading it to split into further groups and factions.

He said that he was not politically active since the past seventeen days, and after carefully observing the situation had reached the decision to quit the party as it had reached the point of no return.

He further said that he was severely depressed over the current situation. He also blamed party members for horse-trading in the Senate elections accusing of auctioning their conscience and self-esteem.

Earlier on Wednesday, MNA Muzammil Qureshi along with fifteen party workers also announced to quit the party and joined the Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).

Last week, MQM-P received several setbacks as two MNAs, Syed Waseem Hussain and Dr Fauzia Hameed, and two women MPAs, Naila Muneer and Nahid Begum, also joined the PSP.