Should have been prepared
The type of reaction being witnessed in Sindh, particularly Karachi, should lead the MQM to consider whether this is the best way to get justice for Altaf Hussain. The arrest should not have come as a surprise to anyone. For the last one year the Scotland Yard has been working on three serious cases against the MQM chief. The party leaders were better aware of the seriousness of these cases than the MQM workers and they also knew how the British system of justice worked. Besides, none better than MQM leaders understood the way the party workers were likely to react to the arrest if not prepared beforehand to deal with the impending shock. The incidents of violence that included burning of numerous vehicles and firing caused panic and led to shut downs of markets, educational institutions, government and private offices and public transport. Two days of ill-conceived reaction has caused billions of rupees of losses to the economy. It won’t do on the part of MQM leaders to simply dissociate the party from these incidents. What is expected from them is to stop the lawlessness.
The Sindh government, of which MQM is a part, has simply witnessed the ongoing mayhem as passive spectators. The chief minister was by no means ignorant of the developments taking place in London. He should have planned to deal with the situation before time with the help of his coalition partners. As things stand the chief minister will have to share the blame with the MQM.
Political parties in general have reacted to Altaf Hussain’s arrest in a mature way. None has tried to make any political capital out of it. Taking note of the difficulties being faced by the party, political rivals have extended sympathies to MQM, a fact duly recognised by Farooq Sattar himself. Nawaz Sharif has directed party leaders to avoid issuing any statement on the issue. The interior minister has promised to extend legal and moral support to the party. The NA Speaker too has expressed sympathy. Similar sentiments have been expressed by the PTI leaders while a PPP delegation visited the main MQM gathering in Karachi.
The MQM has to realise that it is by no means unusual for a political leader to go to jail. There is hardly any major Pakistani leader who has not been arrested, often on cooked up charges. The MQM chief should consider himself fortunate because Britain is a country where police, prosecution and courts are independent. The best way for the MQM to secure justice for its leader is not to indulge in a futile agitation but to concentrate on fighting the case.
MQM is a 'terrorist' party, would not lose any chance to show its 'street strength', every once knows this but dare not say! These tactics can work if the case has been in the country but fortunately for Pakistanis, it is in London where these actions have no value. I pray and hope the London police charge him and put him behind the bars for long time, this will be the best news Pakistan after testing the nukes.
@dr jamil ahmad……………….its very candid opinion of you hereby i agree with you being resident of karachi……karachi situation is really pathetic…this city is like a dubai for pakistanis who come across the country in order to get employment….but these mafias has ruined this city and spoiled the opportunities for public……..
MQM is not placed as party in the minds of the people of Pakistan. The activities of this party been under question for long time and now when the leader who lives in London has been qurstioned and taken to Police station on one or more of his wrong doing the party followers in Pakistan are protesting in Karachi WHY if they have courage should protest in London streets They have no case to protest when Altaf Hussain is picked up for his wrong activities which could be serious enough to land him in jail for long time in jail and that is where the MQM party is under question Why ruin the business of Karachi just for one man He is not above the law especially in UK He will be treated fairly and will get the just right justice
The unrest and killings in Karachi the entire blame must go to Altaf Hussain who played a pivoting role to destroy the peace of mind and and business of that city Surely people of Pakistan would like to see that this party is banned for good Pakistan needs parties who built the nation and country not to destroy the basic fabric of the society NO one is safe in Karachi and those who are involved be ;punished in accordance with the law of the lands.
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