KARACHI, Sept 21: Perturbed over reports of a possible suspension of local bodies before the general election, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement is considering various options to persuade President Gen Pervez Musharraf not to concede the demand of the Pakistan People’s Party.

The MQM has not come out with a statement in support of Gen Musharraf in spite of the announcement of the election schedule.

Altaf Hussain, the party’s chief, has summoned the MQM’s Karachi-based senior leadership to London for an important meeting at the international secretariat.

Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad, MQM’s convener Imran Farooq, deputy convener Farooq Sattar and federal minister Babar Ghauri are attending the meeting.

Talking to Dawn from London, Dr Sattar said that the meeting would have a ‘thorough discussion’ on the presidential election. “We are here (in London) to discuss the overall political situation.”

He parried a question whether the MQM legislators would vote in favour of President Musharraf.

Reliable sources told Dawn that the party had conveyed to “the quarters concerned” its opposition to the PPP’s proposal regarding suspension of local body institutions before the general election.

The sources said that the MQM was considering different options aimed at mounting pressure on Gen Musharraf to reject the PPP demand. “I am sure the MQM would vote for Gen Musharraf in order to strengthen the democratic system as we all believe he will not accept any undemocratic demand of any party. Otherwise all options are open to us,” said a senior party leader.