ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (INP): The Election Commission of Pakistan on Sunday allowed Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) deputy-convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui to hand out party tickets for the upcoming Senate elections. Former ECP secretary Kanwar Dilshad told media that MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar has been stripped of his ticket-awarding powers. Soon after the ECP announced its decision, Sattar and other party leaders arrived at the election body's office in Karachi. "I am the party convener, only I have the right to give a ticket," Sattar told ECP officials, contesting the election body's ruling. "In my presence, the deputy-convener cannot even call a meeting." Speaking outside the ECP, Sattar said that all the meetings held without his knowledge can be questioned. Citing parts of the party's constitution, he said: "If Khalid bhai wants to assist the convener [Sattar], then I will also submit a letter to support him. But if I feel this power is being misused, then I will revoke his right to hand out tickets." Sattar stressed that it was only with his backing that Siddiqui has been authorised to hand out party tickets, saying, "Otherwise, it would not be possible for him to do so." The deputy-convener's role is limited, he said while talking to the media. "He can only assist, not take over the convener's duties." On Friday, MQM-P's coordination committee had exercised its rights under the party's constitution and delegated the authority to deputy-convener Siddiqui to hand out party tickets for the upcoming elections. Party leader Faisal Sabzwari, in a chat with newsmen on Friday, had said that under the party constitution, neither the convener nor any other person had the right to hand out party tickets. He had said this right is the sole privilege of the coordination committee, which is transferring it to deputy-convener Siddiqui. The committee had also written to the ECP, urging it to accept the Senate election nominations of its candidates immediately. INP/AJ