Law has finally taken its course, Altaf Hussain was arrested in London on money laundering and other charges. Arrest was made after quite intensive investigation spread over months; such an extensive probe was necessary to avoid any embarrassment for London police and UK government should the charges against a popular leader of a party (MQM) representing urban Sindh fall apart. This may be a shocking news for many in Pakistan, especially in major metropolises in Sindh. That’s evident from the shocked dip in Karachi Stock Exchange index coupled with sudden closing of the whole city, the commercial hub of Pakistan.
Though MQM needs to stand united in these troubled times to avoid unrest in Karachi; however, it’s time to flip a new page in its politics. It’s time for moderates in the party to come forward and stand in the way of hardliners who will try to exploit the situation. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for MQM to come out of personality cult and become a true democratic political party. MQM needs a soft-spoken leader ready to accommodate and accept all ethnic groups in Urban Sindh as stake holders, divorcing the politics of violence forever. It was Karachi vote bank which elevated Altaf Hussain to become a kingmaker; one would hope that same vote bank will help MQM to choose a leader who can stabilise the city with grace and wholeheartedness.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
