It is time the MQM and its leadership accept their mistakes, repent for their past sins and make a pledge never to resort to use of violence in politics, or be part of any undemocratic setup.
They have challenged the writ of law by imposing no-go areas and taking the law into their hand. Their role in the Musharraf junta and resort to strong-arm tactics, bhatta and politics of violence, is a reality which they cannot hide from.
The May 12 killings, followed by many similar incidents in April of the same year, have been shown live by television channels in Pakistan.
Even their Home Minister of Sindh proudly proclaimed it as a show of force, which was repeated the same evening by Musharraf in Islamabad. It is also a fact that their leader had a choice to remain as a political asylum seeker in UK or become a citizen of that country and he chose the latter. This occasion was rejoiced by the party in London.
It is also a fact that MQM has always sought a role in every government willing to welcome them, which includes Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf and now Asif Zardari. Similarly, it is also a fact that Nawaz Sharif was nurtured by Zia-ul-Haq but he later on stood his ground and went ahead with his decision to test nuclear defence capability. He again proved his loyalty to the national interest by his struggle for restoration of an independent judiciary headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Ch.
It is also a reality that the NRO, while giving relief to the corrupt also gave a similar unconstitutional immunity to over 8000 cases of murder, arson, rape and kidnapping, many of which were against the activists of the MQM. Altaf Hussain today holds a British nationality by choice, while many others including Benzair Bhutto and Nawaz Shariff chose to retain the Pakistani nationality in spite of being forced to live in exile for over 8 years.
All those who have committed crimes, or looted the national wealth, be they from MQM, PPP, PML(N), PML(Q), JUI, ANP, civil or khaki bureaucracy, must pay for their crimes and the looted money returned. The MQM is not above the law, nor are others. Pakistan today suffers because of the greed of few for wealth and power at all costs.
There can be no rule of law unless everybody, including the khakis, submits to the supremacy of the constitution. Everybody including the politicians must pay their taxes, declare all their assets, renounce foreign nationalities or immigration status, and bring back all their assets to Pakistan, if they want to play a role in national politics.
RASHID ORAKZAI
Quetta
