HYDERABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) MNA Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Tuesday said MQM is being pressurised to withdraw Wasim Akhtar as his party's nominee for Karachi's mayor, but "they will not succumb to any intimidation or threat".

Siddiqui made the statement while distributing relief goods among rain hit families in Hyderabad.

“If there is anyone who can change him (Wasim Akhtar), it is Altaf Hussain alone,” the MNA said.

Siddiqui alleged that there is foul play against MQM.

"There is pressure through ‘messages’ and ‘steps’ against us,” claimed the MQM MNA.

“You tell me whether anyone is booked for listening to speeches in the world. There can be cases for delivering speeches and will charges be framed for making speeches in parliament today," he said, alluding to Mahmood Khan Achakzai’s speech over the suicide attack in Civil Hospital of Quetta calling for fixing responsibility on security agencies.

He said that Pakistan Peoples Party gave an ineffective local government system, during their government in the center, which is in direct conflict with Article 140-A of the Constitution.

MQM also faces a controversial joint investigation team (JIT) report of Sindh police leaked to the media in which confessional statements for organising violence on May 12,2007 was attributed to Wasim Akhtar.

MQM through a statement of Akhtar dismissed the report outright.

Akhtar was arrested along with Rauf Siddiqui and Pak Sarzameen Party's leader Anis Kaimkhani last month on allegations of providing treatment and shelter to terrorists in Dr Asim Hussain case.

Akhtar, who is incarcerated in Central Jail Karachi, is facing 10 cases. One of the case is for hearing a speech delivered by MQM chief Altaf Hussain.