HYDERABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) has for the time being restrained Hyderabad Mayor Syed Tayyab Hussain from resuming his charge.

The mayor had been on a 13-day leave during which he proceeded to the United States.

He returned home on Wednesday (Jan 23) but, according to party sources, was advised not to take over the charge and, for the time being let Deputy Mayor Suhail Mashhadi to run the show.

Tayyab Hussain had spent considerable time in the United States before coming back home in 2008 and winning a National Assembly seat from Latifabad.

Ever since he became the Hyderabad mayor on Aug 24, 2016, he has been under criticism for not been able to get the city’s water and sanitation issues addressed.

Mashhadi has effectively been projecting himself as an energetic and competent substitute by raising his voice over shortage of technical staff in the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and convinced the local leadership of the party to recommend to the coordination committee that he be allowed to officiate as mayor.

Until he got the chance during the mayor’s leave, Mashhadi had remained a non-starter as the deputy mayor.

Except for council sessions, he was rarely seen among the people protesting over the city’s civic issues.

Tayyab Hussain, soon after his return on Jan 23, reportedly asked his secretary to draft the letter of joining but was advised by the party leadership to wait for the next directive.

He appeared confused in view of the development.

“I don’t know whether there is any plan to replace me,” he said.

“I am suffering from jetlag after my trip to America. So I intend to take rest; that’s why I didn’t take over charge on Jan 24,” Tayyab Hussain said while commenting on the move.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2019