After several political parties turned down Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) invitation to attend its all parties' conference (APC) today, the 'grand meeting' was postponed.
Around noon on Tuesday, several political parties through their spokespersons sent out the word, declining the MQM-P’s invitation aimed at reaching out to other political players.
The parties that had turned down the invite include Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamat-e-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League factions (PML-N, PML-F), Sunni Tehreek, Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl and others.
According to the MQM-P, the party tried to initiate a political discussion and it’s the personal decision of the parties whether to attend or boycott.
Meanwhile, Pak Sarzameen Party, and MQM-Haqiqi planned to attend the conference today, as will Pakistan Awami Tehreek and All Pakistan Muslim League.
MQM leaders Faisal Subzwari and Amir Khan met MQM-Haqiqi leader Afaq Ahmed on Monday, following the meeting, the MQM-H chief announced that he would be attending the APC tomorrow.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the PSP's office, PSP leader Anis Advocate said on Monday: “Principally we have decided to attend the meeting tomorrow,” and immediately added, “we hope that the MQM-P will hold a clear stance against the traitor of the country tomorrow.”
MQM-P leader Amir Khan reiterated their complete separation from the party's London faction.
Khan said that in the conference, the political leadership of the country will focus on the issues related to local bodies and corruption in the provincial departments.
The APC marks a year's passing since MQM founder’s controversial anti-state comments in a speech at Karachi Press Club. Following the incident and subsequent violence, the party disassociated itself from its founder to create its own faction with senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar as its leader.
A day after the incident, Sattar had reiterated that MQM will operate from Pakistan and that all the party's decisions will now be taken from its leadership based in the country.
