KARACHI - The split that had developed within Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) weeks ago came to surface on Sunday as one of its key leaders and deputy mayor of Karachi Arshad Vohra announced to join Syed Mustafa Kamal’s Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).
Vohra made this announcement while addressing a press conference along with PSP President Anis Qaimkhani at Pakistan House Karachi.
Speaking to media men, former MQM leader, who also was the part of MQM-P’s decision- making body, said that he was thankful to the citizens of Karachi who gave him the mandate to resolve their issues, but unfortunately, he was unable to deliver due to policies of the MQM-P.
“This is quite unjust with the people, and therefore, I will resign from the post of deputy mayor after completing all the legal formalities,” Vohra announced.
“I put up with the situation for a year, but in the end I got convinced that MQM-P had no vision, and there was nothing to do in the party which had no clear strategy,” Vohra added.
Sharing with the media the obstacles that came in the way of functioning of the local government, Vohra said that the elected representatives kept complaining about the lack of resources throughout the year. “But despite repeated reminders, nothing was done in this regard. If we cannot fulfil our responsibilities then it is better to quit,” he added.
He also revealed that there were many others in MQM-P, who had reservations over Farooq Sattar’s leadership of the party, who were willing to join PSP.
To a question about money laundering case, Vohra said that he would not leave the country and remain in Pakistan to face all the cases registered against him.
Welcoming Arshad Vohra, PSP President Anis Qaimkhani said that if MQM-P Convener Dr Farooq Sattar had the moral courage then he should ask members of his party sitting in the National as well as in Sindh Assembly and Senate to resign. He further said that PSP would enthusiastically contest the by-elections, which would be held for the seats falling vacant on account of resignations by MQM-P legislators.
However, sources have another story to tell. They say that Vohra has quit MQM-P after the case of illegal transfer of money from the accounts of MQM’s charity wing Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) to MQM chief Altaf Hussain was registered against him.
They further revealed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was investigating the case, and that other MQM-P leaders who are being connected to the crime are Khawaja Sohail, Babar Ghauri and Ahmed Ali.
It is pertinent to mention here that Vohra, during his stay in MQM-P, had also remained the head of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation. He was looking after all the financial affairs of the party’s charity wing.
Vohra is a former chairman of SITE Association. He was elected Member of Sindh Assembly in general elections of May 2013. He resigned from his post after he was nominated by MQM for the slot of Deputy Mayor of Karachi. He was elected Deputy Mayor of Karachi on August 24, 2016 and took oath on August 30, 2016.
Vohra left because of money laundering case: MQM-P
Meanwhile MQM-P spokesperson talking to The Nation said that Arshad Vohra, during his stay in the party, gave his best and MQM-P leadership wished him good luck for future. “Unfortunately, a case of money laundering had been registered against him couple of days ago and that might be the reason why he has left the party,” he said, and added that Vohra would again be welcome in the party if he ever decided to join it in future. To a question about MQM-P Convener Dr Farooq Sattar’s warning to resign from assemblies over forcible change in loyalties, he informed that the party’s decision-making body would meet today (on Monday) to review and discuss the current situation. “Furthermore, MQM-P’s leadership would also finalise the arrangements for its power show scheduled to be held at Mazar-e-Quaid on November 5,” he concluded.