Scuffle and chaos mar MQM-P meeting as two groups clash at party's Bahadurabad office

KARACHI: At least one person was injured as a scuffle and chaos marred a meeting of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) at the party’s headquarters in Bahadurabad near Char Minar on Sunday evening.

According to party officials, the scuffle broke out between supporters of two purported rival groups within the party, led by federal ministers Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal.

However, the cause of the conflict had not yet been confirmed.

A police officer, who requested anonymity, told Dawn that one person had been injured in the incident. The officer confirmed that the victim had sustained a firearm injury. He added that police were present at the scene and the situation was under control.

Another official told Dawn that the scuffle broke out during the party’s meeting and said authorities were investigating what had triggered the infighting.

However, he said no one had been seriously injured in the incident.

The official added that police contingents had rushed to the scene to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

“The situation is now under control,” the officer said, adding that, so far, no one had approached the New Town police to lodge a complaint.

Following the scuffle, a press conference that was reportedly to be held by the party leadership was postponed.

In a post on X, Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said: “They set out to divide Sindh, but failed to keep their own house in order.”

“Those who sought to divide others have themselves splintered into factions today. The people have once again given a fitting response to those who pursued the politics of hatred against Sindh’s unity,” Javed said.

“Every dream of dividing Sindh was buried before, and it has been buried once again today. Sindh was united, Sindh is united and Sindh will remain united.”