HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Mayor Syed Tayyab Hussain has proceeded on extended leave till February 14 amid reports that the local leadership of his party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), wanted to replace him with someone else, most probably Deputy Mayor Sohail Mashhadi.

The mayor had been on leave to visit the United States and returned home on Jan 23. He intended to resume his duties the next day but was reportedly restrained by the local MQM-P leadership from taking over charge and told to wait for further instructions.

Accordingly, Deputy Mayor Sohail Mashhadi continued to officiate as the mayor.

Mr Hussain is said to have submitted his application for another 15 days’ leave on Thursday. His leave application would be submitted to the local government department for approval.

The department is likely to notify the deputy mayor as acting mayor enabling him to look after affairs of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC).

Party sources said that Mr Hussain had not yet indicated that he would quit as the mayor.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2019