Without Altaf Hussain MQM Factions Merger Nothing | Sr Journalist Faizullah Khan Special Interview

Serious efforts are underway to persuade different factions of the once unified Muttahida Qaumi Movement to agree on a minimum common agenda after the results of the recent cantonment boards election made clear that the party’s traditional Urdu speaking voters stayed aloof due to a constant war of words between rival leaders. Background interviews and on-the-record conversations with several stakeholders suggest that the establishment — which had made a failed attempt to broker a deal between Pak Sarzameen Party and MQM-Pakistan around four years ago — is not behind the renewed efforts and it’s just a result of introspection. Also, the efforts are not aimed at merging one party into another, but to initiate a dialogue that would likely to give a much-needed confidence and hope to the Urdu-speaking community that currently feels isolated and vulnerable. Ex-governor Ebad is playing role from Dubai to bridge differences There are roadblocks though as certain leaders enjoying senior positions in their respective parties do not want to give up their powers, but they have been told that if the situation persists, no party — the MQM-Pakistan, the PSP and Dr Farooq Sattar led PIB group — would stand a chance in the upcoming local government elections and 2023 general elections.