State of strife

The new fault lines and tensions that have opened up between the PPP and the MQM are not welcome. This is true especially given the future of Karachi and the need to establish stability within it. Political instability of this kind, in fact, affects the country as a whole and prevents democratic development.

The whole problem could have so easily been avoided. It arises from a series of unfortunate remarks made by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during his speech on Eidul Azha and most recently on October 18. In these addresses, he has accused the MQM of creating problems in Karachi and essentially asked it to control its “namaloom afraad”. He also said that he would bring the party, led by Altaf Hussain, under control. Not unsurprisingly, these speeches have not been taken well by the MQM, with the deputy convener of its Rabita Committee announcing that it would be withdrawing as the junior partner in the PPP-led government in Sindh. With the MQM sitting on the opposition benches, it may become harder to manage Sindh’s affairs, and notably, those of Karachi. Also, the way the word ‘muhajir’ has been used by some PPP leaders has also not gone down well with the MQM, which has stated that it stands against feudal culture and questions Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s appointment as PPP chairman.

The situation is not a happy one. It is unclear why the PPP chairman chose to repeatedly attack an ally of his own party in Sindh. Political leaders need to look at the wider picture when they speak and must avoid stirring up trouble. This trouble is likely to grow more now and add to the difficulties for the people of Sindh, as well as those of the country as a whole. Our political leaders need to be more responsible. Words such as those from the PPP chairman do no good, but merely create complications in a situation where we badly need to avoid these in order to maintain stability. All political players must keep this in mind and remember that the good of the nation as a whole is of vital importance at a time when we already face so many perils from different directions.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2014.

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