Resolved — for now

The MQM, despite challenges to its Karachi hegemony, remains by some way the most powerful political group in the city

It is now two months since members of the MQM tendered their resignations to the Senate, the National Assembly and the Sindh Assembly. They have now decided to re-take their seats and once again take part in the democratic process. Their return was made possible after the government had agreed to form a civilian committee to oversee the activities of the paramilitary Rangers-led operation in Karachi that is the focus of MQM discontent. This is a considerable shift on the government side, but the logjam needed to be broken. It remains to be seen how the committee will work and whether its workings will be to the satisfaction of the MQM.

The MQM, despite some recent challenges to its Karachi hegemony, remains by some way the most powerful political group in the city. Its influence extends northwards to Hyderabad and if wall-chalking is any indicator, it has at the very least supporters, if not voters, in Gilgit-Baltistan. Its power and relevance are undeniable in the metropolis, but it is a party badly in need of reform. It needs to lay to rest the image that persists — that of a political group willing and able to resort to violence to achieve its political ends. Its mercurial leader living in London does the party no favours no matter what his adoring supporters might think. It is past time for a new generation to rise through the ranks, a generation that is not tainted with the ills of the past — a move that is long overdue in other political parties as well. A return to something that resembles political normality is to be welcomed. It is now for the government to move fast and get the Grievance Redressal Committee up and running in short order. The operation in Karachi will continue no matter the protestations of the MQM. It has produced a more peaceful and safer city for all — including for those who vote for the MQM. Whether the MQM is capable of reinventing itself in a changing and volatile political environment remains to be seen. We await developments with interest.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2015.

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