KARACHI, Aug 15: All the main committees of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement have been dissolved and replaced by a six-member ad hoc committee to purge the party of self-centred elements.

The second major shake-up in less than a year was announced by MQM founder Altaf Hussain who also authorised convener of the party Dr Imran Farooq to take appropriate decisions for steering it back to its ideological moorings.

The decision indicated simmering struggle for power within the party and follows Aug 13 address of Mr Hussain in which he had lashed out at the “vested interests” within his party and threatened to leave the pivotal role.

This was a major shake up within MQM since Nov 7, when Mr Hussain had taken over direct control of the party affairs after suspending Dr Imran Farooq, who was subsequently reinstated.