HYDERABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leadership on Monday shrugged off rumours about possible removal of Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori.

The rumours were triggered by the governor’s return from Islamabad on Sunday evening and his early morning visits to the shrines of Shah Awais Karni in Manjhand and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan on Monday.

The MQM-P responded cautiously to the rumours which started doing rounds on the social media while he was visiting the shrines.

“He returned to Governor House at 3pm on Monday,” said a Sindh government’s administrative source.

Tessori apologised to the media for not talking to journalists at the Qalandar’s shrine which he otherwise hardly avoids.

“I don’t think any such change is going to take place,” said MQM-P Chairman Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui while commenting on the rumours. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he replied when asked whether his party’s consent was sought for such a change. “These reports start emerging after every few months,” he said.

While Siddiqui didn’t comment much on it, there is talk about the likely change within MQM-P ranks.

“A message was indeed conveyed to the governor as to the likely change. Shortly afterwards, he moved to Islamabad and started his endeavours with the relevant quarters,” said a source privy to political developments in Karachi. “But the governor’s circle claims that positive vibes are coming as if things have started to settle down; but things can go either way,” the source said.

“Since we are not yet approached, I can’t comment on my party’s alternative choice for the post, be it Dr Irfan Gul Magsi or anyone else,” Siddiqui told Dawn over phone from Karachi.

Tessori, formerly associated with PML-F and a close aide Arbab Ghulam Rahim, was picked by the powers that be for the gubernatorial post in October 2022. He has been a controversial figure among MQM-P leaders ever since PSP’s merger with it. He comes from Dr Farooq Sattar’s camp.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2025