Two disgruntled factions of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan - Bahadarabad & PIB - showed some flexibility on Tuesday to resolve the mutual disputes, which have shattered the unity in the ranks and files of the party for the last few months. Bahadarabad faction of the MQM led by Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui extended an olive branch to PIB faction led by Dr Farooq Sattar to come forward for resolution of disputes between the two groups.
However, at a press conference, Dr Siddiqui set a cutoff date for Dr Farooq Sattar to return to the party fold by April 16 to assume the responsibilities to work along with the other party leadeRs If Dr Sattar came after that deadline, he would have to work simply as party worker.
Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui's offer received a quick response from Dr Farooq Sattar who along with his aides held a news conference at the officer of their faction and welcomed the gesture shown by Bahadurabad faction. "The tone of Dr Khalid Mabqool Siddiqui was reconciliatory, which is a positive development, he stated.
However, Dr Sattar described Dr Siddiqui a figurehead of the party having no real powers to act for bringing the two factions together. "Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui is powerless and has the real strength that would remove the friction in the ranks of the party," he stated.
He, however, noted that disunity in the ranks of MQM Pakistan would be resolved once both factions sit together and take concrete steps with full sincerity to get the party its past glory. Earlier, Dr Siddiqui said that he knew that hardships and difficulties Dr Farooq Sattar is faced with. He invited Dr Sattar to come and sit with them despite their differences. "We share an ideological bond and that is above our differences," he asserted. Dr Siddiqui accused some forces, which are bent upon weakening MQM Pakistan and said that these forces can't be defeated only when all of us work together by rising above our personal interests.