KARACHI, Nov 18: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s coordination committee on Monday indefinitely suspended Aftab Ahmad Shaikh as its deputy convener owing to alleged violations of party discipline.

The action against Mr Shaikh, who was in the forefront of the party negotiations with other contenders for the top slot in the government and had steered the party’s struggle with the ARD, has been also taken for negligence and informing the party about his engagements, says a press release of the MQM.

Mr Shaikh had come into limelight after Mr Ishtiaq Azhar was removed from the helm of affairs. Mr Shaikh had submitted his resignations much before its chief Altaf Hussain had announced punitive action against Dr Imran Farooq, but the MQM has denied it.

Meanwhile, Mr Shaikh is focusing his attention on the medical treatment of his wife who is presently ill.