KARACHI:
The two factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have moved further apart as political observers suggest that the Mustafa Kamaml and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui-led groups are now virtually separated from each other.
However, senior party leader Anees Qaimkhani claimed that differences of opinion may arise, but Muttahida stands united.
A faction of MQM-P led by Mustafa Kamal organized a rally in Liaquatabad on Saturday while the other faction under Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui organized a rally at the Governor House at the same time to demonstrate its political and parliamentary stance.
The Bahadurabad group, led by MQM-P chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, includes his strong ally Dr. Farooq Sattar and the Governor of Sindh Kamran Tessori.
On the other side is Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal’s group, which includes Anees Qaimkhani along with workers and assembly members, who were elected on the “dragon” symbol of MQM Pakistan but are now aligned with the Mustafa Kamal camp.
The split within the MQM-P has persisted for months, with differences between Mustafa Kamal and the Bahadurabad group emerging soon after their merger in January 2023. Tensions escalated when former Pak Sarzameen party workers reached the Bahadurabad headquarters and shouted slogans against the Sindh governor and certain Bahadurabad leaders.
The rift deepened in February 2025 when Mustafa Kamal and Anees Qaimkhani left MQM-P’s official WhatsApp group and suspended political activities in the temporary Bahadurabad centre.
For over six months, leaders, labor and lawmakers from both sides have held separate press conferences. Although neither faction has formally announced a split, both have expressed grievances against each other in off-the-record meetings. Anees Qaimkhani says he is a senior party leader and that the MQM-P has launched a public protest and outreach campaign in Karachi against the Pakistan Peoples Party, which he claims has dominated the city for the past seventeen years against its residents in justice.
When asked about differences within the Muttahida, Qaimkhani said that as political people, differences of opinion can arise anywhere and they believe in resolving differences behind closed doors.
In response to a question as to why Khalid Maqbool or Farooq Sattar were not present at his meeting, he said that the entire leadership could not be gathered in one place; some attended the Governor House programme, while others attended the Liaquatabad rally.
MQM Pakistan leader Ameenul Haq stated that at the “Future of Karachi” program held at the Governor’s House, people from different walks of life met to discuss the city’s problems and their solutions.
Another MQM-P leader said that the Liaquatabad rally was actually a PSP event and had no connection with the MQM.
Sources say that one of the main reasons behind the rift between the two MQM factions is the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). After the Gul Plaza tragedy, the Mustafa Kamal group had planned a protest in Karachi against the PPP on January 31. However, Bahadurabad group leader Farooq Sattar traveled to Islamabad and after meeting PPP leaders and intermediaries, the protest was called off. The differences between the factions are now fully visible, but party workers seem to be the hardest hit. Many workers consider both Anees Qaimkhani and Khalid Maqbool as their leaders, leaving them caught in the middle of the dispute.
Recently, workers from Malir Town handed over the keys of their unit and sector offices to Khalid Maqbool, reflecting internal insecurity. They were also unclear whether to participate in the Liaquatabad rally or stay away.
Karachi’s 31 towns, formerly known as sectors, report to the Central Organizing Committee (COC). Workers across these cities say the rift has filtered down from the leadership to the grassroots, with some aligning with Anees Qaimkhani and others with Khalid Maqbool. A worker from North Nazimabad Town urged leaders to resolve their disputes or formally separate so that workers can decide who to follow.
