MQM lawmakers’ security withdrawn, says Sindh opposition leader

Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi has said that security has been withdrawn from several Muttahida Qaumi

KARACHI: Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi has said that security has been withdrawn from several Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmakers, including the party’s parliamentary leader and deputy parliamentary leader.

Khursheedi said the security withdrawal from several MQM members of the Sindh Assembly had begun on Thursday evening.

According to the opposition leader, security personnel assigned to several lawmakers were withdrawn without any prior indication that such a decision was being taken. He said the affected members included senior parliamentary figures of the MQM, raising concerns among the party’s lawmakers.

Khursheedi said that the process of withdrawing security from members of the provincial assembly started the previous evening and was continuing. He added that several MQM lawmakers had already been affected by the decision.

However, the opposition leader clarified that his own security had not been withdrawn so far.

“I have not been deprived of my security yet,” Khursheedi said while speaking to Geo News, adding that the withdrawal of security from other members had started on Thursday evening.

The development has raised concerns within the MQM parliamentary group, particularly because the affected lawmakers include members holding key positions within the party’s parliamentary structure.

Khursheedi did not provide further details about the reasons behind the withdrawal of security or identify the authority responsible for making the decision. He also did not say whether the party had formally approached the provincial government or relevant security authorities regarding the matter.

The issue comes amid broader concerns among political representatives over the security arrangements provided to elected members of provincial assemblies. Security personnel are often assigned to lawmakers based on official assessments and requirements, particularly where political or public-facing responsibilities are involved.

The withdrawal of security from several MQM lawmakers could therefore become a matter of discussion in the Sindh Assembly, particularly if the affected members seek clarification from the provincial government.

Khursheedi’s statement also highlights differences in the security arrangements currently provided to members of the provincial legislature. While security has reportedly been withdrawn from several MQM lawmakers, the opposition leader said his own security remained intact as of the time of his conversation .

The MQM is a significant political party in Sindh and has representation in the provincial assembly. Its lawmakers frequently raise issues concerning governance, public services, law and order and the political and administrative situation in Karachi.

The opposition leader’s remarks are likely to draw attention from other lawmakers, particularly if more members are included in the security withdrawal process in the coming days.

No official explanation from the Sindh government or the relevant security authorities was cited in the initial statement regarding the reasons for withdrawing the security personnel.

The development may prompt the MQM parliamentary leadership to seek clarification over the decision and ask whether the security arrangements for elected representatives are being revised across the province or whether the latest withdrawals are limited to specific lawmakers.

For now, Khursheedi has confirmed that security has been withdrawn from several MQM members, including the party’s parliamentary and deputy parliamentary leaders, while his own security remains in place.