KARACHI: Amid ongoing ambiguity surrounding future of Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Muttahi Qaumi Movement-Pakistan said that it will have no reason to be part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government if any unilateral decision is made regarding said constitutional post. “Sindh Governor belongs to MQM-P. It was decided [in meetings] with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz that Tessori would remain Governor,” senior MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar said. Karachi-based party’s warning comes as last week sources that PML-N-led federal government has come to terms with Pakistan Peoples’ Party, which rules Sindh, to replace Tessori with former’s leader and ex-Federal Investigation Agency Chief Bashir Memon.

However, rumours didn’t sit well with MQM-P as Tessori doubled down on those spreading such reports and said that he enjoyed confidence of PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and his own party and would continue to serve people till time he is in office.

“I would tell those behind these reports that I am not one who gets panic [by such reports],” he said.

Meanwhile, Sattar outrightly dismissed rumours, saying: “No one talked to us nor did any consultation take place.” His views were echoed by his colleague Khajawa Izharul Hassan who also dismissed potential removal of Tessori citing social contract which provisioned representation of province’s urban areas via Governor when Chief Minister belonged to rural areas.

However, presenting Centre’s point of view on matter, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that decision on issue of Sindh Governor’s post is expected soon. However, he refuted reports suggesting appointment of PML-N’s Memon for said post.

Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui-led party was subsequently part of PDM government. It was once again wooed by PML-N to join them in Centre following February 8 polls where no party managed to secure simple majority in National Assembly.

MQM-P, which currently has 21 seats in lower house of Parliament 17 general and four reserved is key ally of PM Shehbaz-led government whose future hangs in delicate balance owing to slim majority of ruling coalition, especially after July 12 Supreme Court verdict that not only resurrected PTI in assemblies but also declared it eligible for reserved seats.