The buzz begins: Altaf’s ‘political drone’ sets guessing game in motion
MQM Senator Tahir Mashhadi says ‘political drone strike’ wont be against judiciary.
MQM Senator Tahir Mashhadi says ‘political drone strike’ wont be against judiciary. PHOTO: MQM/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
While a mystery shrouds Altaf Husain’s planned “political drone attack”, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has made it clear that it would not take any step which may undermine or hurt independence of the judiciary.
The MQM chief announced late Saturday that he would “carry out a political drone strike” within 72 hours, asking the nation to be mentally prepared for it — leaving many political observers guessing.
“It is unlikely the MQM will take any step which may hurt the superior judiciary,” said MQM Senator Col (Retd) Tahir Hussain Mashhadi. Asked if this “political drone attack” could go against the Supreme Court, he said, “It’ll be a political drone. I’m sure, it will not hurt the independent judiciary.”
Political observers, however, take the timing of Altaf’s announcement seriously as it comes at a time when the MQM chief is bound to appear before the apex court today (Monday) in a contempt case.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Pervez Rashid termed Altaf’s announcement “a wakeup call for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)”. He believes MQM may pull out of the ruling coalition at the centre, but not in Sindh.
PPP Senator Saeed Ghani called it a “mysterious statement” and said he could not understand what exactly Altaf wanted to achieve through such calls at a time when the general elections are around the corner. He, however, made it clear that it would be a “political drone attack” rather than a “drone on the superior judiciary”.
Awami National Party (ANP) MNA Bushra Gohar, meanwhile, asked the government to take action against such statements by a “foreign national”.
“When you [Altaf], being a dual national, announce to launch a drone strike in Pakistan, you are interfering in the state’s internal affairs. We should not let him [Altaf] add fuel to the fire in the state.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2013.
While a mystery shrouds Altaf Husain’s planned “political drone attack”, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has made it clear that it would not take any step which may undermine or hurt independence of the judiciary.
The MQM chief announced late Saturday that he would “carry out a political drone strike” within 72 hours, asking the nation to be mentally prepared for it — leaving many political observers guessing.
“It is unlikely the MQM will take any step which may hurt the superior judiciary,” said MQM Senator Col (Retd) Tahir Hussain Mashhadi. Asked if this “political drone attack” could go against the Supreme Court, he said, “It’ll be a political drone. I’m sure, it will not hurt the independent judiciary.”
Political observers, however, take the timing of Altaf’s announcement seriously as it comes at a time when the MQM chief is bound to appear before the apex court today (Monday) in a contempt case.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Pervez Rashid termed Altaf’s announcement “a wakeup call for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)”. He believes MQM may pull out of the ruling coalition at the centre, but not in Sindh.
PPP Senator Saeed Ghani called it a “mysterious statement” and said he could not understand what exactly Altaf wanted to achieve through such calls at a time when the general elections are around the corner. He, however, made it clear that it would be a “political drone attack” rather than a “drone on the superior judiciary”.
Awami National Party (ANP) MNA Bushra Gohar, meanwhile, asked the government to take action against such statements by a “foreign national”.
“When you [Altaf], being a dual national, announce to launch a drone strike in Pakistan, you are interfering in the state’s internal affairs. We should not let him [Altaf] add fuel to the fire in the state.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2013.