MQM chief and Supreme Court
Voters lists prepared in Karachi were found to be defective as no less than three million voters’ names were shifted to other towns against their wish. Again, all parties, with the exception of the MQM, who appeared before the SC demanded a fresh delimitation of the constituencies in the city. These constituencies, they claimed, were formed under Musharraf in violation of the universally accepted democratic principles to favour a certain party. The SC ordered both the rechecking of the voters lists and a new delimitation of the constituencies. The MQM, though, on its part, claims that the exercise of fresh delimitations should be carried out not just in Karachi, but across the country. When any law abiding aggrieved party considers a court judgment to be violative of the constitution or law, the normal way for it is to go into appeal. The MQM leader chose a way which one does not expect from someone heading a political party.
In his telephonic address to party workers on 2 December, Altaf Hussain accused the judges of being involved in the practice (read, conspiracy) of annihilating the MQM. He also extended threats to them. As reported by a national English daily, he warned the judges to apologise for their remarks against the MQM or their “names will be wiped out”. He maintained that the Supreme Court’s decision will not improve the law and order situation but will rather worsen it. He demanded the removal of the SC judges who had ordered the delimitation threatening that “if the chief justice doesn’t take action then the case will go into the peoples’ court”.
The remarks have led the SC to issue a contempt notice to Altaf Hussain. This is what the rule of law exactly demands. The MQM leader has said his party’s response in this regard would be in accordance with the law and the constitution. But the SC has not issued the notice to his party. What is required on the part of Altaf Hussain is to defend himself in the SC against the charge. The MQM being a part of the ruling coalition for nearly five years now, he cannot claim that he does not feel secure in Pakistan. This provides him an opportunity to return and personally face the court. Altaf Hussain has also called on his party men not to lodge any protest against the apex court’s directives. One wonders why an advice to the party was considered necessary. No such appeal was made by the PPP leadership when its leaders were called by the court, not once but several times, or even when the party’s first PM was sent home. A report meanwhile tells about unknown people resorting to aerial firing in MQM dominated Karachi and Hyderabad, causing the closure of markets. This should be a cause of worry for all. Even if these incidents were not related to the notice to Altaf Hussin, many would expect the MQM chief, whose party represents the two cities in two legislatures, to condemn them.