Sattar offers reunion formula to Bahadurabad group

KARACHI: Farooq Sattar, the leader of the PIB group in the MQM, has offered the rival Bahadurabad group to work out a reunion formula by dissolving the coordination committees of both the groups and form an adhoc committee to run the party affairs.

Speaking to the media after a meeting of the PIB groups’ office bearers at his residence on Wednesday, Sattar said he wished the MQM-P groups could celebrate the party’s 34th foundation day on March 18 together. However, the PIB and Bahadurabad groups given their differences are adamant to celebrate it separately, not to mention the Muhajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi and MQM-London.

While Sattar intends to hold the gathering in Jinnah Ground or at Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk, formerly Mukka Chowk, close to Nine Zero, in Azizabad, the Bahadurabad group wants the event to be held in Nishtar Park where the first public gathering of the party was held in 1984.

On the issue of MQM ownership, Sattar said the party was registered with the ECP in his name and the rival group was violating the law by using the party’s name and its symbol, Kite. “I hope that the ECP decision on March 26 will be in my favor,” he commented on the outcome of the legal battle that both the groups are engaged in. As Sattar claims his right, the Bahadurabad does the same citing the same party constitution.

Meanwhile, the PIB group leader said the authorities have not yet allowed his party to hold the gathering. He apprehended that his right to conduct politics will be curtailed if his plea is not approved.

“Yet, I suggest that we (the PIB and Bahadurabad) set aside our differences and hold the foundation day at the Mazar-e-Quaid,” he said, expressing his will to talk only with Khalid Maqbool, who is the convener of the MQM-P Bahadurabad.