KARACHI  - Irum Azeem Farooque, a former leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, on Thursday claimed that the party’s London group has been supporting the Bahadurabad group, led by the party’s coordination committee. 

She expressed these views while talking to reporters after she appeared before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in connection with the hearing of a petition against the deviant members of the party. The hearing was adjourned until March 5. 

The former MQM member said she was approached by the party’s Bahadurabad wing. She said that the grouping within the party has been unveiled while party members are still confused in connection with the leadership of the party. 

She claimed that an application was moved to de-seat her so she could not vote in the Senate’s election, making it clear that she has not joined any party as yet. The former party leader also held MQM leader Salman Mujahid responsible for a propaganda against her on social media. 

Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) leader Asif Hasnain told the media that the party has devised a strategy for the Senate elections in March.  

He expressed hope that the party would get a Senator elected from Sindh. 

MQM Pakistan leader Shaikh Salahuddin alleged that large parties in the province have been offering MQM lawmakers for horse trading. Earlier, the horse trading was employed in the Federal Administrated Tribal Area (Fata) but now it was being carried out in all provinces, he claimed. He urged the ECP to take notice against horse trading. 

The MQM was passing through a difficult time, he said, adding that Farooq Sattar has been supporting the party. 

Earlier, the ECP also conducted a hearing on a petition against vice-mayor Arshad Vohra, adjourning the hearing until March 5.