Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chief Farooq Sattar, in rushed press conference early Sunday, said he would "rather die than join PSP or any other party".
He was reacting to the jumping ship of several party members into the Pakistan Sarzameen Party (PSP) — formed by former MQM members Mustafa Kamal and Anis Qaimkhani in 2016.
"The matter is both quite important and very serious, and may pertain to the future of Pakistan … might also be related to the fate of Muhajirs," he said, noting the subtle changes being made ahead of the general elections this year.
"The situation in the cities of Sindh is unfurling, with the aforementioned questions taking a place of key import," Sattar said, claiming that the process of "trying to force changes in loyalties" has already been commenced.
"I'm risking my life … putting my life on the line," said Dr Sattar, who heads the MQM-P's 'PIB group' after a split with the 'Bahadurabad group'.
The MQM-P leader expressed confusion about why his party and PSP were expected to merge.
Sattar underscored that the recent developments were taking place just months ahead of the general elections, which is why he expressed a desire to meet both the nation's top judicial and military authorities.
"I need some time. I wish to meet the Chief Justice (of Pakistan) of the Supreme Court.
"I also intend to go to the Army Chief (Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa)," he stated.
Sattar, in a rhetoric manner, said if this was "how the outgoing assembly was being treated, what could be expected to happen with the incoming [one]".
"We now demand guarantees of safety for our families."
