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Farooq Sattar dissolves MQM Rabita Committee, calls for fresh intra-party polls on Feb 17
Hours after Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's (MQM-P) Rabita Committee (Coordination Committee) moved to remove him from the convener's position, Dr Farooq Sattar called a general workers' meeting at PIB where he announced to dissolve the Rabita Committee and called for holding fresh intra-party polls on February 17, to determine the new leader of the party.
Sattar called it a gathering of "responsible party members" and asked the audience to raise hands if they wanted to see the coordination committee dissolved, to which they responded with a positive gesture.
Citing a section of the party constitution, Sattar announced to sack all the conveners and deputy conveners of the party in a counter move, following the party's Rabita Committee move to remove him from the convener's position after the Election Commission of Pakistan allowed MQM-P deputy-convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui the authority to hand out party tickets for the upcoming Senate elections.
Addressing the gathering, Sattar asked who the workers wanted as the party's leader. The charged crowd responded with chants of "Farooq Bhai, Farooq Bhai".
Earlier in the day, party leader Kunwar Naveed Jamil explained that there were "many reasons why Dr Farooq Sattar was removed from his position".
"The registration of a party as organised as the MQM was cancelled by the ECP only due to the negligence of Dr Farooq Sattar. Despite continuous reminders from the coordination committee, Sattar did not file the party workers' wealth statements with the ECP, due to which the party’s registration was cancelled," he added.
"Dr Sattar purposefully sabotaged the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation [the welfare arm of the MQM] by committing gross mismanagement in its affairs," he alleged. "Nazeer Hussain University is dysfunctional now and its employees haven't been paid for seven months now."
“Dr Farooq Sattar also altered the party constitution to his own benefit and took all authorities and powers for himself," Jamil further alleged.
"We all love Farooq bhai deeply in a personal capacity. He was our party's convener. He no longer is. We deliberated in great detail regarding this issue — the reasons I'm detailing are a small fraction of all the ones we deliberated."
"The whole issue started when Dr Farooq Sattar tried to force Kamran Tessori as the party’s candidate for Senate elections," he said.
Expressing the committee's reservations regarding the rapid ascent of Kamran Tessori in the party, Jamil alleged that Tessori was only made convener of MQM at the insistence of Dr Sattar, keeping merit aside.
He also alleged that Sattar had remained unwilling to accommodate the coordination committee's requests despite multiple overtures to seek a solution to the problem.
Jamil claimed that the committee had even abdicated its right to nominate senators completely for the sake of maintaining unity in the party, but Sattar remained unwilling to remove Tessori from the list of nominees.
"We have decided to promote the movement and not individuals," he continued.
"Dr Farooq Sattar does not hold any position of responsibility in the party anymore. He is now a common worker of the party," he concluded.
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, speaking after Jamil, said Sattar's removal had been necessitated by the latter's call for a party workers' convention today that would have split the party completely.
He, however, did not foreclose the possibility of Sattar being reinstated as the convener of the party, saying the committee would be open to it if Sattar "realises his error".
Farooq Sattar responds
"I was ousted through a structured conspiracy," Dr Farooq Sattar responded soon after being removed from the post of MQM convener.
"The issue was not about the nomination of one person — they [Bahadurabad group] actually wanted to nominate their favourites," Sattar claimed. "They are cloaking their selfish interests in their objection to [Tessor's] nomination for Senate seats"
"If I had made all the mistakes they claim I have made, why did they wait for the Senate election to act on them?" he asked.
"And if I had usurped all the powers in the party, how did they so successfully hold multiple meetings without my knowledge and conspire against me as well?"
"They haven't just sacked me: they have deprived every deserving worker of the party of his due right," he said.
"The party members had issues with me holding the authority of nominating party representatives," he explained. "I was forever the force obstructing the selling out of Karachi and the empowerment of the qabza mafia."
"If these people were sincere about finding a solution to the crisis, they wouldn't have signed a declaration for my ouster on February 7 — at the same time they were sending delegations to negotiate with me."
"The verdict will be delivered by the people's court today," he announced, before inviting all party workers to the KMC ground in PIB Colony for a grand convention.
"This was just a trailer: the full film will play at the KMC ground," he said.
Tussle over Senate tickets
Earlier in the day, former ECP secretary Kanwar Dilshad had said that MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar has been stripped of his ticket-awarding powers.
Soon after the ECP announced its decision, however, Dr Sattar and other party leaders arrived at the election body's office in Karachi. "I am the party convener, only I have the right to give a ticket," Dr Sattar told ECP officials, contesting the election body's ruling. "In my presence, the deputy-convener cannot even call a meeting."
Speaking outside the ECP, Dr Sattar said that all the meetings held without his knowledge can be questioned. A day earlier, Dr Sattar had announced issuing show-cause notices to some coordination committee members for holding “unconstitutional” party meetings.
Citing parts of the party's constitution, he said: "If Khalid [Maqbool Siddiqui] bhai wants to assist the convener [Sattar], then I will also submit a letter to support him. But if I feel this power is being misused, then I will revoke his right to hand out tickets."
Dr Sattar stressed that it was only with his backing that Siddiqui has been authorised to hand out party tickets, saying, "Otherwise, it would not be possible for him to do so."
The deputy-convener's role is limited, Sattar had said while talking to the media. "He can only assist, not take over the convener's duties."
Widening rift
On Friday, MQM-P's coordination committee had exercised its rights under the party's constitution and delegated the authority to deputy-convener Siddiqui to hand out party tickets for the upcoming elections.
Party leader Faisal Sabzwari, in a chat with newsmen on Friday, had said that under the party constitution, neither the convener nor any other person had the right to hand out party tickets. He had said this right is the sole privilege of the coordination committee, which is transferring it to deputy-convener Siddiqui.
The committee had also written to the ECP, urging it to accept the Senate election nominations of its candidates immediately.
According to DawnNews sources, the letter reminded the ECP that according to MQM-P's constitution, the right to issue tickets to election candidates resides with the coordination committee.
The letter also emphasised that the party's convener does not have that right.
Comments (76) Closed
MQM-P is on the verge of collapsing ........
Farooq Bhai so sad.
The ECP is bending its rules to favor a faction with a registered party. That's unfair.
Save party first and be united....
end of MQM -P is coming soon !!!!!!!
Well, well well.
Good decision. MQM can be united and run by the Committee properly rather than by a weak person.
these jokers are not loyal to the masses .. am also surprised at the coverage being given to them on media .. they are not fit to lead any one leave alone distributing senate tickets
The only survival for Farooq Sattar under the umbrella of PSP. The MQM is for workers and not for opportunists.
MQM, without distinction of A, B or Z, iseems to be imploding. A very good omen for the overall benefit of the country
Good decision by ECP that stripped Farooq Sattar from total domination of the MQM-P party and dictatorship. It would be interesting to see how FS and his close associates reacts, and how the part moves and survives in the future!
Stubborn attitude and vested interest caused the debacle of Farooq Sattar.
Still time has not run out for MQM-P. Dr Farooq Sattar should not try to pose himself as Altaf Hussain. Time of tyranny has gone. He should leave his ego behind and should read the writings on the wall. He should call a meeting of CEC at Bahadarabad (the Head Quarter of MQM-P) with sincerity and open heart. The Dr Khalid Maqbool's group comprise very loyal,senior, dedicated and committed members. Listen their grievances and accommodate them. They are the party's assets. Dr KM group still respect Dr FS and would not let him down. Best wishes for MQM-P.
What an organized party of the past and become source of amusement.
I think Dr. Farooq Sattar is fighting a lost battle. He did leave his post some months earlier, it is time for him to either accept the other faction or say good bye to MQM. He will however always have the option to form another party as MQM-FS
The MQM is proceeding to its logical conclusion.
Farooq Sattar lost his respect and credibility by giving priority to a new opportunist over loyal workers.
MQM will bounce back from this situation. Bring it on!!!
@LOYAL None of them is willing to work for people. If Rabita committee won this situation then it means 5 or 6 leaders will be born which eventually collide with each other later on. If Farooq Sattar won he will loose all support from main leaders. Time has come let them collapse.
Yesterday I said they wanted him out. Sattar is too close to both the former armed wing of MQM and Altaf Hussein. Sattar complained he wanted to be respected, but he didn't understand. The underworld he was in collusion with took away any respect he had earned over the years because he is a weak man and did their bidding. Once Altaf was eliminated (without any help from Farooq) he thought he was going to take over the party after fipping sides. The party leaders in both camps no very well that he him in charge Farooq will sell out to anyone.
""We all love Farooq bhai deeply in a personal capacity. He was our party's convener. He no longer is." - Love is a shifting sand. There was a time when they all loved Altaf Bhai.
A blood of innocent people are the cause of downfall of the party.
The power to.appoint convenor or deputy convenor rest with someone else. It is not the Coordination Committee. The party is registered in the name of Farooq Sattar. If he is out the party finishes.
Its a daily basis circus
The fact that MQM was based on ethnic group and not a belief , faith, or ideology, makes it a very local and weak organization in crisis. How can you call it Muttahida, when the whole struggle of power is concentrated among the members with 5 square mile area. It is once again a Mujahir movement except now it has a track record of doing nothing for muhajirs for last 38 years of its existence. The only good thing is it is avoiding violence. For that kudos to them. I hope they work their problems out and play a positive role in Pakistan politics.( otherwise will be a loss of able people)
Farooq sattar remember what goes round comes round. You played up with your leader Altaf bhai now its your turn to face the music
This is a great opportunity for PSP to take the lead in Karachi politics.
@zees Political vultures will also day dream for Karachi control.. MQM is not an organisation, it is an ideology for a nation which will find some other way or form unless they are given their due rights.
And the drama continues...
These leaders should fear of all the blood on their hands.
it is all game of control/power.
Democracy in political parties is the spirit of democratic values ! Collective decisions !
PTI is the only party which has a very honest leader in IK for rest it is an open secret, so please in the coming election vote for PTI a save Pakistan.
One Tessori did what all opponents failed to achieve !
Very soon Tessori will leave Farooq Sattar !
RIP, dear mqm. It is tragic that you had to come to such an end, but all things, good and bad, have to pass. So be it, then.
Not every person has leadership quality. Altaf Hussain posses a cult followership - no one can match such charisma in MQM rank.
By By MQM
All ethnic/ racist political parties should end like this.
Farooq Sattar deserved for this treatment.
What a Joke, now he is going to join the other MQM party. These folks are quite useless and we should not give them a time of the day
Tit for Tat.
What a silly joke?
Zia ul haque is gone. MQM too needs to go.
Today Karachites miss Altaf Hussain, I wish he had not fallen in the wrong hands
Removing Sattar is a sane decision as a very meager personality can not represent masses of educated people.
Another drama? May be he would be back again, drama never ends.
Enough of this nonsense already.
Beginning of the end of the party. Internal differences are always a death-knell of an organization.
Good riddance.
This is a new trend, it's very dangerous and will never stop. Today it is Farooq Sattar, tomorrow the same may hsppen to others like Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and the day after Faisal Sabzwari and so on.
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad ..under the prevailing circumstances what else can they do?
It’s always about MQM and workers. What about Karachiites, the voters???? They along with PPP have plundered the city in terms of finance and infrastructure. Nobody cares about Karachi, but all these politicians want to loot. Sad affairs indeed!!!!!
Greediness for senate tickets are unbelievable and shocking. It’s no brainer that these people don’t care about the interests of Karachi and are doing only self serving politics.
He should accept his quitting gracefully and not to destroy MQM
How come the Bahadurabad Group led by new convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi has accepted the issuance of ticket for Senate Elections in favor of Tissori. This clearly shows the whole story was about power struggle between PIB and Bahadurabad.
Do an intra party election and create an example. This will raise mqm to a well structured democratic party which it never have been in past.
@Ali Zaidi - Altaf Hussain tactics were like running an African country, a total militant based operation. The current stage that mqm is hoing through is positive and it will raise the party to a better stature I hope.
@Alpha Beta They are already collapsed after Altaf H. removed as party chief. Good for Karachi infact. Now only powerful party will be PTI.
What a sad end!
He destroyed the party for one Kamran Tessori ! History will always remember him as a failed and corrupt leader !
All this nonsense for just one Kamran Tessori ?
Rabita Committee has made a wise decision! We don’t Tessoris !
The MQM was founded by Altaf. So far he is alive the MQM is indivisible and invincible. He still has his vote bank intact. The members are elected by his support and backings. Those who think MQM finishes live fool's paradise.
We are witnessing last few months of MQM
@Dr. Kassim I strongly endorse that PSP should represent all MQMs and start afresh for all Pakistanis in general and Karachiate in particular
Everyone is power hungry.
Non mohajirs want end of MQM-P but what they failed to realize that MQM will remain alive till we have Mohajirs in Pakistan. Its time that strong one like Altaf hussain to lead MQM
Altah Hussain has only vote bank. My believe on Karma getting stronger
Sources of income of MQM have dried up after collection of money through extortion and other corrupt means have stopped. The present episode is a drama enacted to collect money through buying / selling of the Senate tickets for next elections / former leader. Both factions may get together soon.
MQM- is it imploding or exploding? Either way it is a lovely sight
Karachi is mini Pakistan, the only megalopolis of Pakistan but except Musharraf Government no Government want to give due share / importance to Karachi, all so called democratic Governments whether Provincial or Federal especially Provincial just want to milk the resources of this poor City hence a strong group comprises of Karachiites must represent this city in all forums therefore we request the responsible of MQM to get their act together and fight for the rights of Karachi / Karachiites as the "democratic governments" have made the Karachi a big garbage dump
MQM is history now.
I think this will bring new dynamics to Karachi Politics as it has never happened before in Pakistan that Party is holding election to elect its leader, MQM will emerge one of the powerful Party INSHALLAH in coming days.
What else can he do to stay afloat and remain in the limelight?
Mqm is here and always here inshallah