Rashid says Karachi Op is on, govt doesn’t want to change horses mid-stream. PHOTO: EXPRESS
He said in view of the ongoing Karachi Operation, the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will first consult with all the stakeholders in Sindh – including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Rangers, ISI and police – before taking any decision on the issue.
“Who will be responsible if the federal government decides to remove Ebad on MQM’s demands and that decision affects the ongoing Karachi Operation,” he said.
He said the PM will consult with all stakeholders in the coming days, adding that the government did not want to change horses in mid-stream.
The MQM on May 11 demanded that Ebad, a MQM leader appointed as Sindh governor in 2002, should tender his resignation from the post immediately, adding that he had failed to play any role in curbing the extra-judicial killings of the MQM workers. MQM chief Altaf Hussain on April 22 declared Ebad ‘a man of establishment’ and said Ebad had no links with the party anymore.
However, sources in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) believe MQM’s demand for Ebad’s resignation is just a political move as the party wants to end the impression that it shares some powers in the federal government.
They said the federal government wants to continue the impression that Sindh’s governorship is in the hands of the MQM. That is why the federal government, after the MQM’s press conference, encouraged Ebad to continue his job until further decision, they said. They said whether or not Ebad continues in his gubernatorial role, the Karachi Operation will continue regardless.
They said there are also some other elements with vested interests who want Ebad to remain in office as Sindh’s ceremonial chief.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2015.
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