KARACHI, May 18: Stung by criticism over the May 12 bloodshed in the city, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief summoned the Sindh governor, the Karachi nazim, a couple of parliamentarians and members of the coordination committee to London for an important meeting.

The Karachi-based MQM leaders left for the British capital on Friday.

Party sources said MQM chief Altaf Hussain would discuss with the summoned leaders the country’s overall political situation on Saturday. They added that a decision on resumption of organisational activities — put on hold because of fears of reprisals — would also be taken at the meeting.

A source said that the party might review its relations with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League whose leaders happily joined the chorus of condemnation against the MQM following the death of over 40 people in violent clashes the day the Chief Justice flew in to address a lawyers’ convention at the Sindh High Court.

However, he made it clear that the party had no intention of quitting the government or the assemblies.