KARACHI: The Altaf Hussain-led Muttahida Qaumi Movement, better known as MQM-London, has rejected what it called attempts to unite different factions of the party on one platform without its founder.

In a video briefing, senior London-based MQM leader Mustafa Azizabadi and others said that the people of Karachi and Hyderabad would not accept any merger that was aimed at implementing the “minus-Altaf” formula.

They, however, did not name any institution or individual for trying to bring different MQM factions on one platform.

They appealed to the army chief to play his role in ending an undeclared ban on activities of MQM-L.

It may be noted that Karachi has been abuzz with reports of an impending merger between different factions of the MQM, particularly the Pak Sarzameen Party and MQM-Pakistan.

Recently, PSP chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal and disgruntled leader Dr Farooq Sattar had separately met Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori — who is a nominee of the MQM-P — and discussed with him the overall political situation.

Also, MQM-P leader and former Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar had told a press conference that the doors of the MQM-P were open to all those who wanted to return.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2022