MQM workers protest ticket allocation to North Nazimabad candidate

KARACHI: After the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), activists of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) also protested over the allocation of party tickets.

As disgruntled MQM senior leader Dr. Farooq Sattar arrived at the party’s temporary office in Bahadurabad area on Thursday, several dozens party workers confronted him complaining about the allotment of party tickets.

The enraged workers questioned why Jamal Ahmed had been issued a ticket to contest on a provincial assembly seat from North Nazimabad. They said that Jamal Ahmed has done nothing for the party and the constituency.

Sattar assured them that their concerns would be duly addressed and no one will be issued a party ticket without the feedback of party workers. He promised that their concerns would be put forward in the meeting of the co-ordination committee.

Later, while addressing media Farooq Sattar expressed unwillingness to contest the upcoming elections, and said had put forward to desire in front of party leadership.

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However, he was adamant that there was only one MQM with a symbol of kite, and that he visited Bahadurabad without any motive and was warmly received by the faction leaders.

He said the party should stay united and this has dashed hopes of MQM rivals. He said a committee has been formed to address obstacles arising within the party.

MQM has finalised the list of candidates for the forthcoming elections. Usama Qadri will contest in NA-253 against Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), Ali Raza Abidi will face PTI chariman Imran Khan in the NA-243, while Mahfooz Yaar Khan will take on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in NA-246.

Dr. Farooq Sattar will contest from NA-247 and NA-245 while Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui will contest from the NA-255 constituency. On June 11, the Islamabad High Court announced its verdict declaring Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui as MQM convener. Sattar had approached the court against the election commission’s decision removing him as party convener in March this year.