The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday ordered the MQM-P to hold intra-party elections by October 15, 2026.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, heard the case.
Speaking on the occasion, DG Political Finance said that the MQM-P was supposed to hold the elections on January 16, 2026. “Later, the deadline given to the party was extended until March 16, 2026,” he said, adding however, the party said it would hold the polls until December 2026.
Barrister Farogh Naseem, who represented the MQM-P, said that in January 2023, there were three factions within the party. “One of the factions tried to include its blue-eyed boys in the party.”
He informed that presently the party was compiling electoral lists which were in final stages. “As per the party’s constitution, it is mandatory to hold elections after every four years,” he said.
On April 7, the ECP rejected MQM-P’s request for a two-month extension to hold its intra-party elections, with the chief election commissioner (CEC) questioning the grounds for delay and warning of serious consequences for non-compliance.
A three-member bench headed by the CEC heard the case.
Officials from the ECP’s Political Finance Wing, along with party representatives, appeared before the commission.
During the proceedings, the CEC asked, “What war is being fought in Pakistan? We cannot grant two months,” directing that convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui or his lawyer must appear at the next hearing, cautioning that failure to do so could lead to serious repercussions.
