The news from London that the police there have arrested two Pakistanis associated with money laundering case involving MQM is very disturbing, specially, because one of the held men handles the party's financial matters.
Unconfirmed news from the UK Metropolitan suggests the police there is making steady progress not just in the money laundering case but also in Dr Imran Farooq murder case; in fact the inquiries of the two cases are said to be so intermingled that the findings in one sparks leads in the other.
The progress in both cases does not only spell disaster for the recent operation in Karachi but can, also, cause upheaval in Pakistan's politics, for if the links of the money laundering activities are established to the highest leadership of the party after the arrest of the above two persons, the MQM may become a leaderless and as such a rudderless party. The political vacuum, in such a scenario, created by the absence of central leadership of this party will not be filled in Karachi until fresh elections are held to prove whether MQM still has the mandate of the people of the mega city or they have shifted loyalties to other parties.
In all fairness to the London police and regardless of complications, the progress in the cases can create crises in Pakistani politics, the PML-N government is said to be sitting on vital evidence in both cases because of it wants to avoid, exactly such a situation.
On the other hand, instead of uniting in such testing times, which threatens to take away the top leadership from them, MQM is developing cracks in its ranks. The changes in the membership of MQM Rabita Committee a few months ago which forced even the Karachi's ex-Nazim of world fame, Mustafa Kamal, not only quit party but, it is said, also leave the country for security reason. It is a very glaring example of the disquiet in that party. There seem no steps in the offing by the MQM leadership in Karachi to prepare for the time in case of the eventuality, when and if the London Police find evidence justifiable in courts.
None, neither the will-wishers of Karachi nor those of the whole country have ever cherished the desire for disintegration of MQM into a non-entity. Rather, it is hoped MQM will change its ways while remaining a party of highly charged and well-disciplined workers. Many have urged the party leadership to forget the violence of the past, whether by them or against them, and adopt peaceful means for political goals.
Even neutral journalists tried to encourage this party to adopt less violent means. But time and again its leadership, after taking a few steps forward towards transforming the party to attract national appeal, has reversed to its shell and assumed the mantle of representing a single ethnic group. It is hoped MQM will work for becoming a party with national appeal, overcome petty differences within and prepare for what is becoming a probability.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Pakistan: Should MQM prepare for the worst?
The news from London that the police there have arrested two Pakistanis associated with money laundering case involving MQM is very disturbing, specially, because one of the held men handles the party's financial matters.
Unconfirmed news from the UK Metropolitan suggests the police there is making steady progress not just in the money laundering case but also in Dr Imran Farooq murder case; in fact the inquiries of the two cases are said to be so intermingled that the findings in one sparks leads in the other.
The progress in both cases does not only spell disaster for the recent operation in Karachi but can, also, cause upheaval in Pakistan's politics, for if the links of the money laundering activities are established to the highest leadership of the party after the arrest of the above two persons, the MQM may become a leaderless and as such a rudderless party. The political vacuum, in such a scenario, created by the absence of central leadership of this party will not be filled in Karachi until fresh elections are held to prove whether MQM still has the mandate of the people of the mega city or they have shifted loyalties to other parties.
In all fairness to the London police and regardless of complications, the progress in the cases can create crises in Pakistani politics, the PML-N government is said to be sitting on vital evidence in both cases because of it wants to avoid, exactly such a situation.
On the other hand, instead of uniting in such testing times, which threatens to take away the top leadership from them, MQM is developing cracks in its ranks. The changes in the membership of MQM Rabita Committee a few months ago which forced even the Karachi's ex-Nazim of world fame, Mustafa Kamal, not only quit party but, it is said, also leave the country for security reason. It is a very glaring example of the disquiet in that party. There seem no steps in the offing by the MQM leadership in Karachi to prepare for the time in case of the eventuality, when and if the London Police find evidence justifiable in courts.
None, neither the will-wishers of Karachi nor those of the whole country have ever cherished the desire for disintegration of MQM into a non-entity. Rather, it is hoped MQM will change its ways while remaining a party of highly charged and well-disciplined workers. Many have urged the party leadership to forget the violence of the past, whether by them or against them, and adopt peaceful means for political goals.
Even neutral journalists tried to encourage this party to adopt less violent means. But time and again its leadership, after taking a few steps forward towards transforming the party to attract national appeal, has reversed to its shell and assumed the mantle of representing a single ethnic group. It is hoped MQM will work for becoming a party with national appeal, overcome petty differences within and prepare for what is becoming a probability.
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