MQM vs PML-N: No one killed Tariq Mehmood!

"I am very much alive" said the leader after the PML-N claimed he had been killed by the MQM.

In a recent round of allegations from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) representative Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has been accused of killing one of its own former ministers.

During a live press conference a few days ago, Chaudhry Nisar stated that the MQM is infamous for killing its own party members and has even carried out the killing of former Minister for Housing and Works Syed Tariq Mehmood.  A few days after this statement, Mr Mehmood who happens to be alive, organised his own press conference conveying the truth to the public.

He stated:

“The other day I saw Chaudhry Nisar on TV alleging that MQM has had me killed. I want to tell the nation that I am very much alive. I am alive by the grace of Allah and affiliated with the MQM under the leadership of its founder and leader Mr Altaf Hussain.”

The blame game is certainly not new in Pakistani politics, and this recent edition which began with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’s unwarranted comments regarding the MQM and Altaf Hussain is no different.

Baseless accusations and outright lies like the one by Chaudhry Nisar bring out the worst in all parties.  Such actions inevitably lead the opposing sides to come up with the most creative lies about the other.

If a party has legitimate concerns regarding another party’s views or actions, that party is justified in stating so. But, spreading baseless accusations about another in order to score political points is neither serving the interest of the public nor that of the accusing party.

The public is intelligent and the media is powerful, holding each individual accountable for their words.  While we certainly do not expect a retraction from Chaudhry Nisar, we do expect him to take more responsibility for his words and refrain from spreading lies.