The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has proposed a new prescription for restoring stability in Karachi. On the occasion of the 14th foundation day of the party, he addressed a large assembly of the MQM office-bearers and workers at the Lal Qila Ground in Azizabad.
“All the religious and political parties in the country should send a 5-member delegation to Karachi for the sake of restoring peace,” he said. “If a single bullet is fired anywhere in the city, these delegations should be sent to the area concerned to see for themselves as to who is firing,” he added.
He invited retired army officers and judges to become part of the delegation in order to ascertain the identity of those who are creating trouble. He also said that the leaders of all the religious and political parties should know that the elements behind the tragic incidents occurring in Karachi are working at the behest of foreign powers. Hussain appealed to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mian Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League Functional chief Pir Saheb Pagara, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan, Jamiat Ulema Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and leaders of all other political and religious parties to send their delegations to the city.
He asked the local and national leaders of the PPP and the Awami National Party (ANP) to invite Asfandyar Wali and Asif Ali Zardari to Karachi for ameliorating the situation. Hussain said that he was holding out the hand of friendship in all sincerity. He said that the MQM staunchly believed in democracy and it respected the vote bank of all the religious and political parties. However, if someone desired to suppress the MQM with brute force of the state, then history is a testament to the fact that those who tried to eliminate MQM were highly unsuccessful in their endeavors. Hussain made it clear that the MQM was no longer just a representative political party of the Urdu-speaking people only as its network of supporters had spread across Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (11)
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@Asad Jahandad:
Benazir Bhutto came after negotiating a deal with the United Kingdom and the United States. She did not come after getting firm assurances from them. It is another matter that after coming to Pakistan she tried to give impression that she had come of her own. This was frowned upon by the US ambassador in Pakistan and she reminded her about her deal.
Nawaz Sharif did not come to Pakistan unless the US monarch requested on his behalf to General Musharraf.
The other leaders that I did not name were those who fled Pakistan during Zia martial law and did not dare to return to Pakistan unless Zia himself allowed it.
Altaf Hussain is speaking vociferously against the US. He does not have links with foreign powers. I do not think that he has made UK his home forever.
@Engr Nasir Jamal:
Very well said! “apni aankh ka shehteer nazar nahee aata..." is this the reason you choose to remain silent on (or may be support) the activities of the British leader's party?
By the way, all of the leaders named in this post have, at one point or another, returned to their home country. If facts, media, and memory are any evidence then these guys never made their host countries their home. They preferred being inside the country with their countrymen and then fight.
As far as this leader's idea is concerned, it smacks of being apologetic at best. I am sure they must have something in Urdu for this kind of political acumen as well.
Dismissed!
@Real Muhajir: The invitations are from the MQM. The MQM will be there to look after the guests. I think that we have had enough of this criticism of Mr Hussain living abroad.
Isn't it also a well-recognized fact the despite his being outside the country his party is the most organized and disciplined party in the country?
Political criticism should be directed against the politics and not against the individual.
All of the leaders have left the country and conducted their party affairs from outside. Benazir went out. Nawaz Sharif signed an agreement with a general and went out. Earlier a number of politicians left the country in self-imposed exile. Altaf Hussain is not the only one living abroad.
In Urdu they say, "apni aankh ka shehteer nazar nahee aata, doosron ki aankh ka baal bhi daikh letay hain."
@ aamir
Pity Imran never bothered to utter a few words of reconciliation of different communities in Karachi . Imrans netwarriors need to keep tehemselves aloof of Karachi .
Bashing MQM's leadership ( that is the only thing expected from Imrans netwarriors ) won't give Imran any edge in Karachi , rest assured .
You people are more worried about how Imran could make inroad into Karachi and so , find fault even with the most saner option brought forth by anyone .
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Since MQM is not a dynastic political party therefore it is better for it to keep its Chief outside Pakistan. His party structure is capable enough to function without his physical presence unlike many major political parties in Pakistan. Nevertheless, a good suggestion from Altaf Hussain.
Thanks for inviting so many guests to Karachi. Great idea and it would help calm the situation. However, this is the strangest invitation ever where five representatives of all political and religious parties, judges and generals are invited. Hopefully the host would also be there! Isn’t that the Islamic and Pakistani tradition?
Why Mr. Altaf himself not visiting Karachi??? Strange..
Well Said, Mr. Hussain
It requires “strong will” on everyone’s’ part, not symbolism or theatrics. Local leadership at the lowest level of each party should ensure and enforce peace within its own strongholds. They know and recognize the miscreants like their own family members but should be willing and held responsible for mayhem, if any.