Talking terrorism and alliances with Dr Sattar

Says MQM ready to make alliances with any political party, but on certain conditions.

KARACHI:

Farooq Sattar, the MQM’s deputy convener who is contesting for NA-249, doesn’t hold back. As he lounges comfortably at the Khursheed Memorial Secretariat, near the party’s headquarters, his mood is reflective, his words direct and unapologetic.

“In the next government, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is ready to form an alliance with any party, even the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N),” he exclaims without any hesitation.

Within an instant, this declaration is accompanied by a condition.

“The parties, especially right-wing ones, should come out with a clear stance on terrorism,” he remarks. “They should also be willing to address all national issues, such as the downfall of the economy, the energy crisis, and the situation in Balochistan …We believe in consensus amongst all parties, but others also need to work towards the cause.”

The stance on terrorism is particularly important to the MQM right now.

Despite being open to an alliance with the PML-N, Sattar expresses disappointment when referring to the party’s response to the recent attacks on MQM’s election offices.

“It seems Nawaz came to Karachi simply to pat the Taliban on their backs and tell them to carry on their attacks,” he says. “He did not offer us a single word of condolence.”

Surprisingly, Sattar seems to have a soft corner for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“Like the MQM, PTI also stands for change,” says Sattar. “We have a common stance on issues such as the economy, social development, accountability and corruption. Some PTI leaders, like Asad Umer, are vocal on terrorism, too.”

After the attacks, electioneering has been severely restricted. The MQM has turned to social, print and electronic media, door-to-door campaigns, and small corner meetings.

Nonetheless, Sattar is optimistic about what the polls will bring.

“We have no political freedom right now. Yet, we are confident that we will overcome all this – thanks to our chief and the people. People will come out on the election day and vote to end terrorism and corruption.”

MQM-PPP: A love-hate relationship

Sattar also seems disappointed with the MQM’s former coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), even though he is quick to add that they connect well as secular and liberal parties.

“This is our biggest dilemma,” says Sattar. “I am with the PPP against the Taliban and banned outfits, but I am against them as they are patronising criminals. They have handed over Kemari, Malir and Lyari to gangsters they created.”

In an outburst of anger, he derides the Peoples Amn Committee, and how it seemingly wants to forcibly occupy traditional MQM seats, including those in Kharadar, Ranchore Line and Garden. As a response to this, the party has written a letter to the election commission, informing the body of pre-polls rigging in 35 polling stations.

Musharraf and army control

“The MQM is not against the army being brought in, but why should we be the ones to choose?” he asks. “The decision should be taken collectively by the caretaker government and the election commission. If they think that the situation can’t be handled by the civil law enforcement agencies and they decide to bring in the army, we won’t oppose the decision.”

Speaking of the army, Sattar says the MQM was in power during Musharraf’s era, and during the tenure before that. According to him, Musharraf’s era was definitely the more prosperous of the two.

“There was peace and stability. Target killing did not exist. There was no political killings and no ethnic strife. People want to have that time back,” he asserts.

Talking sectarianism

With the rise in sectarian killings and the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen contesting elections, Sattar admits that the Shia community is largely disappointed by the liberal and secular parties.

However, he feels that this will not affect the MQM vote bank and it is the PPP who will lose their Shia supporters.

“The PPP did nothing for the Shia community,” he says. “On the other hand, everyone knows MQM is a binding force, and does not believe in ethnic or sectarian divides.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2013.