KARACHI, Feb 21, 2026 — An extraordinary scene unfolded in the Sindh Assembly on Friday as internal rifts within the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P) surfaced publicly, prompting a lawmaker to seek police protection from a fellow party member and leading to the suspension of another legislator.
The tense episode began when MQM-P MPA Shoukat Ali rose on a point of order during proceedings and alleged that he had been threatened by his colleague, MPA Shariq Jamal, inside the assembly premises. Addressing the chair, Mr Ali claimed that Mr Jamal told him, “Step outside and we’ll see you,” which he interpreted as a direct threat.
Calling the matter serious, Mr Ali demanded that the concerned police station register a case and provide him with security. He warned that if his safety could not be guaranteed even within the assembly, he would have no option but to resign from his seat.
Speaker Syed Awais Shah immediately took notice of the allegation and directed Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Lanjar, who also holds the home portfolio, to respond. Mr Lanjar said it was not appropriate to raise such issues on the floor of the house and suggested that the chair issue a ruling. However, he acknowledged the gravity of the complaint, remarking that it would be troubling if an elected representative felt unsafe within the assembly.
The speaker then asked Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi, also from MQM-P, to ensure that the matter was resolved before the end of the sitting. He warned that failure to defuse the situation could result in suspension of the member concerned.
The atmosphere grew more charged when another MQM-P member, Engineer Mohammad Usman, began shouting and exchanged heated words with colleagues. As tempers flared, the speaker expressed displeasure at the disruption and announced the immediate suspension of Mr Usman for creating a ruckus and inciting fellow members. He barred the suspended member from entering the assembly until he submitted a written apology.
Meanwhile, Mr Lanjar assured the house that security arrangements had been made for Shoukat Ali and said that action would be taken if threats were substantiated. He added that the MPA could record his statement with the police to initiate formal proceedings.
In further remarks, Mr Ali alleged that MQM-P MNA Iqbal Mehsud had visited his office earlier in the week accompanied by armed men and had also issued threats. He described the dispute as an internal party issue, stating that he was aligned with the Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui group within the MQM-P, while those threatening him belonged to the former Pak Sarzameen Party faction that had merged into the party.
Opposition Leader Khurshidi sought to calm the situation, describing it as a minor internal matter that would be resolved within the party framework.
To address the complaint formally, the speaker summoned the SSP-South and the local SHO to his chamber to record the MPA’s statement. However, after discussions between the concerned members, both sides reportedly reconciled. Following this development, the police officials left without proceeding further.
The episode highlighted visible cracks within the MQM-P at a time when political tensions in Karachi remain sensitive.
During the same session, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon referred to recent remarks made at an event held at the Governor House, expressing concern over what he termed divisive and linguistically charged speeches. He warned that Karachi had previously suffered from ethnic and political strife and that inflammatory rhetoric could endanger the city’s fragile peace.
Mr Memon also criticised what he described as inappropriate criticism of state institutions at a constitutional forum, saying such discourse could undermine institutional dignity and social harmony. Drawing a connection to the day’s events in the assembly, he observed that visible discord among elected representatives was a cause for concern.
The sitting was later adjourned until Saturday, leaving observers to assess the political implications of the unprecedented public airing of internal party differences within the provincial legislature.
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