Situationer: Can MQM factions put 'bad blood' behind them?

If it hadn't been for the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif, the launch of Imran Khan's long march and the subsequent attempt on his life, the various factions of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement may have announced a merger that has been long in works.

Behind-the-scenes efforts by powerful quarters to bring the different MQM factions under the MQM-Pakistan umbrella have been underway for some time and Dawn has learnt that final touches are being given to a merger deal between the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and MQM-P.

In background conversations, multiple sources from the different factions of the party revealed that while a fragmented MQM was more suited to the establishment until April of this year, it now needed to field a unified party in urban Sindh ahead of next year's general elections.

For this purpose, the powers that be had, directly or indirectly, approached every MQM faction - based in the country and outside.

After 2017's 'failed experiment', it seems the powers that be are now readying a united front to field in urban Sindh ahead of the next general election

Insiders say that although no side has so far opposed the idea, many leaders fear differences may surface over organisational control, as they have in the past.

In Nov 2017, the PSP and MQM-P announced a merger at a joint press conference at the Karachi Press Club. But due to differences within the MQM-P, the establishment-brokered deal did not even last one full day as both sides traded allegations and named key establishment figures as being behind the move.

This time around, however, even those associated with the Altaf Hussain-led MQM-London - thought to be the most hard line of all the factions - are emphasising on their supporters and sympathisers the importance of 'forgiving' those behind the split and working together for a fresh start.

Also read: Yet another attempt at reconciliation between warring MQM factions

However, London-based MQM leader Mustafa Azizabadi, in a brief statement to Dawn, denied any knowledge of a plan to merge all MQM factions.

The MQM-P also chose not to respond when approached for comment.

Sources said that last month, a senior establishment figure flew down to Karachi and met with senior leaders from both, MQM-P and PSP, separately.

The two parties were told that urban Sindh could not afford their petty rivalries, which was the main reason why they had failed to fill the vacuum created after the ouster of MQM founder Altaf Hussain.

Insiders...