KARACHI: MQM's London-based chief Altaf Hussain today made it clear that he was unhappy with the performance of party leaders and that one of Pakistan's most powerful regional parties needs to undergo an overhaul.
Hussain launched a scathing attack on the performance of party's lawmakers and in-charges at the sector and city government levels.
Addressing a rally of its central workers at the party headquarters from London, Hussain threatened to step down as the party's leader.
The emotionally charged crowd, however, at the rally declined his plea, saying they would not accept anyone else as their leader.
Hussain, who asked his party legislators to submit their resignations at party headquarters in Karachi, said he couldn't see the ideology of the party not being followed.
"I am grieved to see that a culture of favoritism and bias is being followed in appointing the in-charges and joint in-charges of the sector units while MNAs and MPAs are also being asked to make recommendations for individuals," he said.
Altaf, the founder-leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which represents the Urdu-speaking population who migrated to Pakistan from undivided India, has been living in exile in London since December 1991. He runs party affairs from a central secretariat in the UK.
"I have sacrificed a lot for this party and spent nearly 23 years of my life away from my homeland but no one cares and I want to come back and straighten things out," he said.
He warned that by next Thursday there would be changes in the party's powerful Raabta committee and the central committee would cease to exist.
Political observers and party loyalists believe Altaf's speech was aimed at strengthening his undisputed position in the party and sending a clear message to elements within the MQM who were defying his orders.
Insiders said Hussain was unhappy with recent incidents when party members showed up at the protests of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf in Karachi, violating party discipline.