MQM’s stance: Altaf lashes out at military role
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has blamed Pakistan’s military establishment for killings in Balochistan and questioned why the Supreme Court had not taken any action against it. He has also alleged that elements of the establishment support killings in Karachi.
The party chief offered his point of view on militancy and the future of Pakistan in an interview on Samaa TV on Wednesday night.
“Parliament cannot pass a bill without the military and establishment’s agreement,” Hussain said. “Why do we lie to ourselves? This government cannot make an amendment without agreeing with the military establishment. The government issued a notice that the Inter-Services Intelligence would be under the control of the interior ministry. It had to withdraw it within 12 hours. Is that the government’s control?”
He added: “I am not criticising the military, but it is not working properly ... Pakistan’s armed forces have not won a single war. No one would ever admit this. My country is sinking.”
As far as the state of security in Karachi and Balochistan was concerned, he blamed the incompetence of the law enforcement agencies. “If the Frontier Corps releases 10 of their (the Baloch) people, if the Baloch also show some flexibility… It is not the Baloch people’s fault. If someone is related to those who are sitting on the mountains, they are detained. I have not seen any action of the Supreme Court against the military establishment who is killing people. I don’t care if the chief justice files a case against me.”
“People are being killed in Karachi because extortionists and kidnappers have the support of some elements of the military establishment as well as the police,” he said.
Altaf also spoke extensively on militancy. “The mindset needs to be broken and Altaf Hussain alone can’t do that. Enlightened, progressive, liberal, educated professors, youth, intellectuals, reporters, anchorpersons need to take off the cloak of fear and educate people that the Taliban mindset is totally against the basic principles and teachings of Islam.”
Furthermore, he added, “We need to create the mindset of what the solution is. Dialogue? We have done a dialogue with the Taliban 13 times. Each time, the pact has been broken by the Taliban.
The last pact, by the ruling party of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government (alluding to the Awami National Party, with which the MQM has been at loggerheads with for several years) and the federal government made a peace pact and only the MQM walked out. Now the people should know which party is brave.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (32)
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@Ali: Come back and get killed is it? Don't be ridiculous. Consider what someone is saying not who is saying. This is Nawaz Sharif who always does the politics of hate and revenge. Your letter is full of accusations and seems to be like a Jamathi writing. You cant furnsh any proof. If you have already made those judgments on unfounded accusations why bother about writing. Think what you want and continue with hate. But let me assure you, though myself having nothing to do with him like his ideas, not him.
He should not come back seeing the fate of so many others.
Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds! Altaf's ethnic party of Karachi & Hyderabad has been hand & gloves with the Army and enjoyed the entire tenure of military dictator even maintaining the legacy of NRO beneficiary government. Now the London Pir takes a U-turn...
@Nadia: every day almost 20 people die in karachi & what development is been done in karachi by this current ruling party MQM included. every one in karachi has security issue pointing finger from london is very easy any one can do it. if he loves pakistan than he should come back
So, I guess MQM has turned Karachi into a bustling crime-free metropolis and now wants to do the same to the rest of the country?
@Abdul Rahman Khan: Khan sahib in which books is written unless you are physically present then the people movement could be successful and what do you think about Benazir murder she came and she killed in front of thousands of people in Pakistan so why one wise leader should put his life at risk as he is striving to change the system of Pakistan WE DO NOT WANT HIM TO BE KILLED AS BENAZIR (FULL STOP). There are many examples in the world you can find many people lead their movements in exile.
We are fed up with sermons for pakistan from outside pakistan. Life and death is in God Almighty's hand. After all, the politicians are living in pakistan and are engaged in politics within pakistan. Altaf husain's bold stance on national issues will carry much weight only if he renounces british citizenship, comes back and leads his people from 90 azizabad. People demand he should come back to pakistan at this critical juncture. Surely, if he does so, he will cut down his journey for the party to rule pakistan.
Even though his character is not exemplary, What he is saying is 100% truth. So instead of personal attack or asking him to come back to prove his "bravado", why can't we argue on his points.
He always says the right thing............but is that enough ?
@ Nadia: "Even prophet Mohammed pbuh migrated for security reasons"
Please pay some respect to our prophet. His security was threatened by Kufaars and he migrated on 'Allah's' command.
Nowhere near the case of these self-imposed political exiles like that of Altaf Hussain and Benazir Bhutto.
As usual, political parties hide their incompetence with army bashing.
@Ali:
backed musharraf for the betterment of the country. yes you are right. i love it when people with their own agendas paint musharraf as some sort of instable pyshcopath who ruled pakistan. musharraf 'yaad ayega.' these were the words of hassan nisar, the celebrated and renown columnist. musharrafs rule was the golden period of pakistans recent history. he brought about accountability, broke the status quo of its viscious shackles on the poor people, and bettered the economy and the lives of millions of poor pakistanis. if you have a problem with that, you need to get a mental evaluation.
Quote “Parliament cannot pass a bill without the military and establishment’s agreement,”... Altaf Bhai it means all the convicted and criminals sitting in assemblies are placed by the establishment?
Can anyone tell Altaf Bhai to please stop shouting from London. If he really have so much pain for Pakistan in his heart, Then he should come to Pakistan and face the music.
Time to vote MQM into power?? MQM is ALWAYS in power.
@omair shahid: Karachi is one of the fastest developed city around the globe get your facts right and you want him to return to pak and die like BB. Even prophet Mohammed pbuh migrated for security reasons, migration shouldn't really bother anyone. We feel altaf hussain is safer outside Pakistan for the time being.
Yes, Army is Supreme Power in Pakistan This is true,its proved ,many times
i have never taken Altaf Hussain seriously but whatever he is saying now is the bitter truth i think its about time MQM is given a chance
Aleem Gujjar
Mr Altaf you dont need to come back untill the reign of almighty establishment remains in control of Alqaeda and Taliban sympathisers...In case you come back due to demands of taliban apologists and got killed, these same taliban apologists who also happen to be fan of Tliban Khan will put a blame on your self or your party like they put the blame of Benazir Bhutto on her own party and Zardari...These same Taliban lovers and Alqaeda apologists dont want to believe that 9/11 was committed by Alqaeda, and also have doubts on moon landing and ardent supports of all sorts of conspiracy theories.
@Shafqat Arain: r u serious they have been with every government who is in power what have they done nothing for pakistan you still want to give them a chance
Mr Altaf Hussain is given more prominence in Pakistani media than people working in Pakistan. Yesterday he was commenting on dual nationals - is he going to do a deal with Zardari to change the law to favour his men. Today he has having a go at military and he gets unlimited coverage on TV and print media. If he is so sincere to Pakistan then why does he not return to Pakistan and take part in politics and deal with the issues he feels strongly about.
yesterday he was all praise for the military and asked them to start military operation in swat.
Up till last year this man was saying he would return in 'uniform' and now he is criticizing the army. I think he needs more money.
So why don't you come back to Pakistan and do something for the country you love?. Oh wait i forgot. You don't want to do anything for this country because you are all words Sir. I suggest you do an interview sober so people take you seriously. And i think you forgot your history but it was your party that backed Musharraf and military rule so spare us this drama. If you have the 'cohones' then come back to Karachi and face the people you have so happily extorted, murdered, kidnapped etc etc over the past few years and made Karachi into Gotham city. I mean after all the bhatta your party workers collect is used to pay for your meals in London is it not.
Who is this man, bluetooth leader
Finally. It is about time that someone spoke so extensively and unequivocally regarding our national situation and Pak Army's role. Someone has guts to speak against Taliban in a manner which has been necessary.
So why don't you come back from London and do some good for the country you love?. Oh wait you won't because you are nothing but big words. I am sure if you did an interview sober people would take you seriously.
Might be because he is far away from Pakistan. But, this guy speaks more truth than an average Pakistani.