MQM-London faction announces support for independent candidates

The Altaf Hussain-led Muttahida Qaumi Movement, commonly called MQM-London, announced its support for independent candidates.

MQM-P is eyeing 15 plus seats in Karachi and two in Hyderabad in the general elections 2024 but the latest announcement has put them in a tight spot.

The decision by the MQM-P was announced in a video briefing by London-based convener Mustafa Azizabadi on Sunday night.

The London faction which had boycotted the 2018 general elections, has named its ‘Wafa Parast’ independent candidates on 80 national and provincial assembly seats in Sindh, including two in Punjab.

According to the news sources, the names were announced at the eleventh hour as part of a strategy of the MQM-L that has been facing an undeclared ban since Aug 22, 2016, an incendiary speech of its founder Altaf Hussain.

As reported, MQM-L has fielded candidates on 19 NA seats, out of a total of 22, in Karachi, two NA seats in Hyderabad and one each in Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Sanghar, Multan and Muzzafargarh.

It also announced candidates for 36 provincial assembly seats in Karachi, five in Hyderabad and 10 in other Sindh cities.

Earlier on Monday, an MQM-L-backed candidate, Iqbal Arain in Hyderabad was picked by Rangers and police from Hyder Chowk, his family said.

On the other hand, when questioned on the MQM-L announcement, a spokesperson for the MQM-P said: “The nation stands with the MQM-Pakistan and its electoral symbol Kite and any support announced by any side to anyone will make no difference.”