MQM-H making its presence known with new offices

The party’s offices were shut down in 2002

KARACHI: Trying to make inroads into city politics once again after 13 years, the Mohajir Qaumi Movement - Haqiqi (MQM-H) is making its presence known by setting up new offices in different parts of Karachi.

The party has already reopened its offices in some parts of the city and plans on opening new ones to kick start its political activities. Claiming to represent the Urdu-speaking population of the port city, the MQM-H has been at loggerheads with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, from which it split during the 1992 operation.

The areas where MQM-H has recently marked its presence include Lines Area, Malir and Karimabad, where portraits of MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed have cropped up. Several walls have also been spray painted with slogans supporting the party, such as 'GA Mohajir, GA Afaq'.

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The party confirmed they are planning to contest the upcoming local bodies elections in Sindh. "Currently, we are busy preparing for the upcoming local bodies elections as our workers and supporters have returned to their homes after at least 13 years," MQM-H leader Khalid Hameedy told The Express Tribune. "We have to open our sector and unit offices properly across the entire city by the month of September."

Until the MQM-H offices were shut down in 2002, the party used to have 12 sector offices in Society, Saddar, Burnes Road, Nazimabad, Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal, Lines Area, Orangi, Liaquatabad and Kharadar, along with nearly 120 unit offices.

This time around, the party plans to enhance the number of sector offices in the city to 15 by establishing three new offices in Bin Qasim, Buffer Zone and Lyari neighbourhoods.

Threat of violence

Before the decline to MQM-H, the city saw intense violence between the two factions and several lives were lost in tit-for-tat killings. Several activists went underground or sought shelter with other political groups. "Our men are returning and joining the party again," claimed Hameedy. "Even those who had left our party and joined Muttahida are also rejoining us."

The rise of the MQM-H is unlikely to go down well with Muttahida and parts of the city have already witnessed sporadic clashes between activists of the two parties. On the threat of such violence resurfacing again, Hameedy said it will be a test for the government and the law enforcement agencies. "There is one major change between the past and now - this time we have massive support from the residents of these areas," he said.

As far as the residents are concerned, they do not want to be caught in the crossfire. "We do not want to be a part of this political game. Do not involve us," said a resident of Lines Area, who wished to remain anonymous. "[When the clashes used to take place] we could not even meet our friends and relatives if they were affiliated with the rival party. People here are killed over political affiliations." The resident hoped the law enforcers will take care of their lives and properties if the parties fight again.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies are keeping an eye on the activities of both the factions. "We are closely monitoring the situation and trying our best to avoid any major untoward incident between the two parties," said a senior Karachi police officer, who did not wish to be named. "As you know that this is a political issue and we are trying to meet the leaders of both the parties to sort out the issue," he added.

Helping hand

Apart from setting up new offices, MQM-H workers are also playing an active role in creating a positive image. In some areas, party workers are helping residents resolve water and sewerage issues. "The Haqiqi men have a command over all such machines and they are really helping us out," said a Landhi resident. "It remains to be seen whether or not they [MQM-H men] will continue such practices in the future after they have gained public support or will be the same like the MQM."

Muttahida is, however, adamant that the MQM-H will not succeed in Karachi. A party spokesperson insisted that MQM-H activists are corrupt and hardened criminals. "One group of the establishment is supporting them," claimed a Muttahida spokesperson. "Despite all of this, the people of Karachi have rejected them [MQM-H]."

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2015.