Stage set as MQM decides to stay out of race for CM Sindh

This decision for neutrality was taken in a joint session of the party’s coordination committee in Karachi and London, where the 21-member MQM has also decided not be oppose neither support any candidate as well.

Earlier, a decision was taken by the party to field a candidate, while several members decided to boycott the proceedings. It is known that more than 10 candidates are out of the country and Rauf Siddiqui is presently under arrest. Also, three seats are currently vacant as by-election have not been held.

Leader of Opposition Khawaja Izhar-ul-Haq said that “the result of electing Qaim Ali Shah unopposed for last eight years were disappointing”. Therefore, the party has no hope from ‘change of face’ in the Assembly, and will stay away from this “voting drama” as it would lead to destruction of Sindh whether they chose to support or oppose it.

Earlier, the nomination papers for the post of Chief Minister were submitted by the prospective candidates. Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani accepted the nomination papers of four candidates after scrutiny. Outgoing Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was also present for the scrutiny of nomination papers.

This includes Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Murad Ali Shah, Jam Mehtab Dahar and Sikander Mandhro. The nomination papers of Khurram Sherzaman of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) were also accepted.