MQM-P MPA attempts suicide over criticism for ‘trading vote’ in Senate polls

KARACHI: Upset over being criticized by the party leadership for allegedly voting for a Pakistaan People’s Party (PPP) candidate in the recently held Senate elections, a member of the provincial assembly, associated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), attempted suicide late on Monday.

MPA Shazia Farooq tried to end her life by taking excessive dose of sleeping pills, sources said.

Shazia Farooq was immediately shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical attendance, where she is stated to be in stable condition.

Her son, Muhammad Farooq, however, denied that the lawmaker tried to commit suicide.

He said his mother’s health deteriorated owing to extreme mental stress, adding that she was now out of danger and being treated at the hospital.

Dr Farooq Sattar, who heads the PIB faction of MQM-P, disappointed over performance of his party in Senate polls, had accused Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of buying loyalties of some of the lawmakers belonging to his party.

Bilawal Bhutto-led PPP surprisingly clinched 10 out of 12 Senate seats from Sindh in Saturday’s Senate polls.

A day earlier, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif blamed the political parties for rigging the Senate elections by securing more seats than their proportional representation in the national and provincial assemblies.

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