KARACHI:
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will take a pounding on Sunday, but not just at Imran Khan’s rally in Lahore.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain appears to be raring to deliver a tirade against PML-N at the protest rally being organised by his party in Karachi on Sunday.
Hussain, who addressed party workers via telephone on Saturday, criticised PML-N leaders, particularly Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, allegedly using ‘derogatory’ language to refer to President Asif Ali Zardari. Hussain dismissed PML-N’s rally in Lahore on Thursday as mere hue and cry.
“They should have respected the office of the president,” said Hussain. “I find the language used at the rally regrettable. The Punjab chief minister used vulgar and derogatory language and said that people should be ‘hanged upside down’ ... I will shed light on that in detail tomorrow.”
Hussain also called on PML-N workers who believe in a just cause to attend the rally, as well as the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and other religious and political parties.
According to Hussain, the PML-N wants to “jam the wheels of the democratic process”.
“The MQM will wholeheartedly support the democratic process,” he said.
While criticism is a valid right, it should be done in a civil manner, he added.
Hussain also noted how the late iconic poet Habib Jalib’s poem was ruined, referring to Shahbaz Sharif singing Jalib’s “Dustoor” at the PML-N rally. Hussain, while apologising to Jalib’s soul, sang a version of “Dustoor”, changing the words to hit out at Sharif’s Raiwind residence, his Sasti Roti initiative and the party’s “nonsensical words”.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2011.
COMMENTS (16)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Typical MQM just to stay in power.
Where is PPP rally?
At this fever it appears that no party will likely get a majority in the next election.
PML-N in Punjab, PPP and MQM in Sindh.
PTI and others will come out as king makers. Last time when such divisions of party politics happened was in 1970s and it did not come out well for PAK.
He (Altaf) always dares to hang jageerdars and waderas in the chowk, as far I know jageerdar and waderay are also peole. MQM, good job in ruining your whatever image you had.
It was Sharifs who opened the innings. Now it is for others to do the batting so no need for any hue and cry from the supporters of their Double Shahs.
It is true that Shabaz Sharif used ugly tricks of ugly politics, , yet MQM and Altaf Hussain did the same few weeks back. If Altaf Bhai opts for mature politics, it is high time to do that but then he must stick to his guns. MQM must evaluate its contribution over last 23 years for the benefit of people of Sindh and Pakistan in general and Urdu speaking people- its main supporters- in particular. MQM must also evaluate its future prospects particularly with the advent of Imran Khan. Imran Khan is not a savior or visionary but expediency of politics has its own rules of game. I hope Altaf Bhai and its party leaders will avoid today any derogatory and fulminating language against Mr. Sharif who has bitterly failed to address the issues of common people of Punjab. Although Zardari sb and his government does deserve appreciation on some political and achievements like IPI and business prospects with China but they also do deserve a diatribe against its failure of governance. Nevertheless, criticism should be political and should be, at least, studded with a hints of solution.
Well done Altaf bhai! Good payback for AZ's favours! Your policy swings will eventually damage MQM more than anybody else.
The policy of MQM is to support those who are in the office.
Instead of reply to PMLN allegations,it would be admirable if Altaf replies for Zulfiqar mirza and Ajmal Pahari allegations.Solidarity with Zardari reflects soadarity with corruption but replies to Mirza and Ajmal allegations will solidify his position as a patriot.
More loyal than the Queen.
Nothing new from Muttahida.
Todays MQM rally in favour of AZ is like 'pari shadi mein abdulla dewana'. I can tell you the result for MQM seats in next election. NA=5 and PA=13.
What happened to the rhetoric about Jageerdaron? I guess all MQM is interested in is Local Body Elections!
It is Pay back time for MQM. After all the PPP disowned Zulfiqar Mirza and totally ignored the Supreme Court verdict on Karachi violence, only for Altaf Bhai !
So every one is afraid of the Sharif brothers
We are foreseeing a hung parliamnet in next elections. But we do not see all of these together overcoming sharif brothers.