Farooq Sattar-led Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) PIB group, despite defections to Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and the Bahadurabad MQM, has one trump card up its sleeve: input in the formation of the caretaker setup in consultation with leader of the house - the chief minister Sindh with Khawaja Izharul Hassan, leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly.
Talking to Business Recorder, senior MQM-P leader Syed Ali Raza Abidi said that opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan is engaged in mediating between the two MQM groups.
"He will definitely consult both Dr Farooq Sattar and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, prior to consultation with leader of the house in the provincial assembly," he added. To a question about the possibility of changing the opposition leader by defectors, he said there is no constitutional provision that allows defectors to de-seat the opposition leader after joining a new political party.
"Those who joined PSP were elected through the platform of MQM-P and they cannot exercise this right unless they vacate the seat and contest fresh elections on the symbol of the PSP or any other party," he added. Abidi showed optimism that differences between the two groups will be amicably resolved as there are people within the two groups who are making hectic efforts to bring the two groups together.
He contended that people were joining the PSP under duress: "Powers on whose shoulders they [PSP] were parachuted from Dubai to Karachi have realized their actual worth and they are no more with them".
With the latest addition of MPA Sumeta Afzaal, the strength of the PSP in the Sindh Assembly has reached 15. The party also enjoys support of five MNAs.
A PSP spokesman said that the party has no plans to replace the opposition leader in the provincial assembly: "The MPAs who have joined PSP will unconditionally support Khwaja Izhar if he plays his role honestly," he added.
He said that the focus of the PSP is to strengthen the party as the next general elections are round the corner, adding "what we want at this point of time is to keep the Muhajir vote bank intact'.
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