Pakistan

PML-N leaders mock MQM rally

“It was a rental rally. Most of the participants were brought from Karachi,” says Ahsan Iqbal.

Zia Khan April 11, 2011

ISLAMABAD:

Punjab’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has reacted angrily on Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) rally in Lahore, calling it a flop show and predicting no room for the Karachi-based party in the province.

“It was the most expensive rally in the country’s political history. Millions of rupees were spent but the desired results could not be achieved,” a spokesperson for the party of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said in a statement.

“It was a rental rally. Most of the participants were brought from Karachi,” said Ahsan Iqbal, a PML-N member of the National Assembly, echoing accusations by some segments of the media that thousands of MQM supporters were brought in from Karachi on trains and buses to bring them to Lahore, the venue, from MQM’s power base. Ahsan Iqbal appeared to be claiming credit for letting the MQM hold a public rally in Punjab despite political differences with them.

“It shows one thing…there are political and democratic liberties in Punjab,” the spokesperson for Sharif’s party said.

“I wish same liberties are also there in Karachi,” he added referring to what opponents often blamed restrictions by the violent activists of the MQM to carry out political activities in its stronghold.

Iqbal also ridiculed MQM’s often-repeated slogan of ridding the country of feudal system and promoting the middle class in the country’s elite-dominated politics. The MQM, however, thanked the provincial administration for letting it carry out the public rally in its backyard. The party’s statement particularly mentioned Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (25)

Sadia | 13 years ago | Reply Like every political party in Pakistan, MQM is in search of new avenues and trying to embark into new territories. In a democracy, every political party has a right to tap into a new voter base and bank. In our beleaguered nation, we are a divided lot, based on ethnic and linguistic lines. The usual bickering about Punjab being the most populous and being the real “center of power”, goes around the country. No one can really deny that, yes Punjab plays a very vital role in the formation of any government and being most populous province, can naturally be advantageous to the potential candidates. General Zia Ul Haq in his tenure, created his political descendant, called Mian Nawaz Sharif, who formed a faction of Pakistan Muslim League, to divide the PPP strength in Punjab. Over the years, PML-N was able to develop and gain its terrain in the province. People still remember the infamous slogans of, “Jaag Punjabi Jaag”, which were once raised by N League to awaken the souls of Punjabis in deep slumber. (At least from N League’s view) Often denied but rightly attributed is another act of the infamous General, the facilitation of the formation of the MQM. The motive was to further divide the PPP strength in Karachi and urban Sindh by creating a party of”Urdu Speaking” majority. However both the parties failed to ditch PPP in Punjab and Sindh despite their tireless efforts and still PPP stands at top as a party of federation.

SMinhaj Zafer | 13 years ago | Reply Wether MQM is successful in creating an impression in Punjab/Lahore on 10/4/2011 or not only the time will tell, but the remarks of a senior party leaders of PML(N) are indicative of the nervousness in the party, which is evident from their silly remarks. remark like party from Karachi et etc. I have a question for every blogger to critically analyse National level parties of Pakistan in the following areas. (1) General perception & (2) Top Brass Pakistan Peoples Party....(1) Sindhi, (2) Predominantly Sindhi (Although a true national party). Pakistan Muslim League...(1) Punjabi, (2) Predominantly Punjabi (To some extent a national Party). Awami National Party.......(1) Pakhtoon, (2) Exclusively Pakhtoons ( logically and factually a Pakhtoon Party, even in Karachi) Jamiat-e-Ulmae Pakistan...(1) Pakhtoon, (2) Largely Pakhtoons (although a religious Party).

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Dr. Saleem Siddiqi | 13 years ago | Reply @adeel qadri: Did you forgot Khomeni who brought a peaceful and blood less revolution in Iran. Dear Revolution is knocking the doors so every fedual and Big Land lords must read the lines between the line and on their walls. Change is must and its wind is blowing. How stupid statement by Ahsan Iqbal that the Largest gathering in Punjab (there was no place for new persons for this gathering) was rental. I think he want to refresh PML-N memories when they used to bring people for ther gatherings from interior Punjabs in Truck and Wagons on hire and offer them lunches / dinners. MQM is a poor party and cannot afford all these luxuries to attract voters.

AIQ | 13 years ago | Reply @ AHZ what crowd ? the only crowd present at stadium was bunch of paan eaters herded all the way from karachi to make this circus successful and not a single true Lahori participated in it, please face the reality MQM is a flop party they are a party representing one Language group and cannot become a true political party representing a country.

AHZ | 13 years ago | Reply This time MQM made a new system by thanking all Government Authorities for helping in conducting / arranging the JALSA. I also want to make a comment here that if MQM and Sindh Government give all the support to PML N for conducting the JALSA in Karachi, then with due respect they cannot even gather that much crowd as gather by MQM in Lahore.

DarkStar | 13 years ago | Reply @Karim-Lahore: A revolution from what? Were not the mqm part of the last two successive governments, from 99 until present? How can you inspire a revolution against a system you've been part of for 12 years, and are still a partner in the government? Do you think we're fools?

DarkStar | 13 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: I live in Karachi and I travel in the city everyday, and I have never ever seen a portrait of Nawaz Sharif anywhere in Karachi, even in areas where Punjabis live. Peer Pagara also doesn't come to mind, but I cannot escape mqm flags, on roads, buildings, intersections, bridges, even street chaurahas. Huge flags intended to demarcate their 'areas', setting the scene for future segregation of the city. Altaf Hussain is seen smiling everywhere, the whole city walls defaced by chalking from mostly mqm. This apart from the gangsterism and terror that their thugs resort to in order to keep their hold on 'their' areas, which is almost 90 percent of the whole city.

Salman | 13 years ago | Reply WOW!!! If it was not for the nervous explanations and empty attacks by PML N's leadership, MQM's rally would not have been that big of a deal. But the imbecile way PMLN is reacting means that MQM was successful in delivering its' message to discard the traditional zamindars and exploiters and give the leadership to middle class representatives. If MQM is successful, it will not be Karachi politicos who would be contesting elections; it will be educated middle-class Punjabis who would represent the great big-hearted brothers of Punjab. But while we talk about this, we need to do something about our Balochs. They are being rail-roaded while we sleep.

Moise | 13 years ago | Reply @Arsalan: Because it failed to deliver twice on federation level and afraid their vote bank will be reduced. MQM might not be saints but their development work speak for itself.

Karim-Lahore | 13 years ago | Reply All those who say leaders sitting abroad can not bring about a revolution then just look at the history of your neighbor country Iran Imam Khomeni brought the greatest revolution in the region while in exile. So please first get a grip on history !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why Mr. Iqbal looked really so worried and the Punjab government changed the venue three times if they are not afraid. They should relax and let people see for themselves. Fact is MQM is making an impact whether one agree or not.

Pakistani | 13 years ago | Reply So Mr. Ahsan had to give an explanation - LOL

Junaid Naseer Faroqui | 13 years ago | Reply Calling it a flop show is a vague statement... there is a constant buzz about MQM in Punjab now. I have been traveling to Metropolis in Punjab and have seen masses thinking about MQM philosophy and message rather seriously. Political parties can no more make people fool. Let them judge and PML-N must not be judgmental.

Salim | 13 years ago | Reply I am not a supporter of any party, but let's face it, no matter which party come to power, the common man will still suffer. We all are burden under the escalating prices of daily essential items, but what has MQM done?? are they not in the Government??

Aristo | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, too bad you have not learned anything from Wharton.

Arsalan | 13 years ago | Reply MQM wants to expand- Why PML-N is afraid of this ?

Obsever | 13 years ago | Reply @Salman Orangiwala: What a waste of resources. What a waste of millions of rupees to show a show in Lahore which was an absolute flop. Thousands of people were herded from orangi to Lahore. Sindh government's vehicles were misused by MQM supporter and had the guts to take Sindh government cars from Karachi to Lahore. Revolution by Altaf. What a joke.

Asmat Jamal | 13 years ago | Reply For once I will agree with him!!!

Rayan | 13 years ago | Reply "....and predicting no room for the Karachi-based party in the province." Mr. Iqbal please dont promote HATE between provinces and nations. we are victim of this since long, now we are going to unite for success.

Salman Orangiwala | 13 years ago | Reply @Business as usual . Runty , Mediocre , Humongous whatever the gathering was , why Mr.Iqbal is feeling the pinch ? Reason is obvious . Calm down Mr.Iqbal .You and the Sharifs are done away with .

salim | 13 years ago | Reply Sour grapes!

adeel qadri | 13 years ago | Reply Leaders sitting abroad can never bring revolution. Anyone can do this kind of average public show off.

Dr.BS | 13 years ago | Reply I agree with you that Punjab Govt. allowed with open heart to MQM to have their Convention in Lahore. If yours Big Wig man stops wearing wig and you dyeing yours hairs by the way wish Mr.NS fast recovery. Yours photo looks tome as jolted by the MQM' power display.Truth is always bitter and hard to swallow.

Pakistani | 13 years ago | Reply Hmmm I don't Know about political freedom in Punjab. But i can see Big Billboards of Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Pir Pagara in different areas of Karachi. Please correct me are all these people belong to MQM...

SK | 13 years ago | Reply Ahsan sb, not that I am MQM supporter but I doubt that your statement is credible either. I believe that PML-N is very scared of likes of MQM and PTI because it only knows that they have better penetration in the masses than PML-N. I will also like to know why your govt. changed the venue if there was/is no threat to PML-N from MQM

Naveed Javed | 13 years ago | Reply I neither support pml nor the mqm but on realistic grounds when we talk about Pakistan/Nationalism every party irrespective of its origin must have equal rights to campaign for its political slogan in every part of Pakistan.

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