The MQM’s downfall began with its electoral victory in 2013. Party chief Altaf Hussain was not happy with the number of votes the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf got from the city and as a result senior leadership of his own party faced his wrath as he sent them packing after the infamous May 19, 2013 manhandling episode.

"The MQM-P and PSP are contesting the election separately, are they capable of winning maximum seats? I don’t think so." —A former office-bearer of the unified MQM

Amid increasing internal fractures, the new delimitation of constituencies and a voter based that grows pessimistic, the party understands well regaining past glory is next to impossible, at least for now.

Read here for more on the challenges facing MQM this election.