The MQM needs to openly accept criticism
One is again witnessing the all too familiar drama wherein MQM ministers resign, which is followed by strongly worded statements, noisy protests and walkouts from the Sindh Assembly and when everyone is thinking that this is going to lead to an irrevocable break up, the sound and fury suddenly comes to an end, the MQM ministers are back to their offices in the greater interest of the people of urban Sindh. One is not sure therefore whether the present separation would last long.
What has provoked the latest standoff are the rejection by Bilawal Bhutto of Altaf Hussain’s demand for the division of Sindh and MQM’s claim to sole ownership of Karachi. The holding by the PPP of a massive rally in Karachi turned out to be the last straw on the camel’s back.
Bilwal Bhutto was within his right to oppose Altaf Hussain’s demand for the division of Sindh. His tweets on the subject were however considered irreverent by MQM. How could anyone, let alone a young entrant in politics, criticise Altaf Hussain by name? The MQM which considers political leaders belonging to other parties as fair game, considers Hussain above criticism despite claiming to oppose feudalism and its culture. What it fails to understand is that a leader speaking on a controversial issue is bound to face criticism.
While there was no reference to Hussain in Bilwal’s Karachi speech, there were other things in it which were unpalatable for the party. How dare the PPP chairman call Karachi the `Koh-i-Noor’ in the crown of Sindh or mention that fact that it was a multi-ethnic city? How could he ask all to join hands to “build our city and turn it into a cradle of peace”? How dare he question MQM’s performance during its “20-year long rule” over Sindh?
Being a coalition partner the MQM should try to resolve differences in the Cabinet meetings. If its leaders raise controversial issues in public they should also be prepared for appropriate public rejoinders.
The editorial of a national newspaper of standing is supposed to demonstrate some independent thinking instead of taking a one-sided view and use the opportunity to do some MQM-bashing.
While mentioning Altaf Hussain's demand for administrative division of Sindh and MQM's ownership of Karachi, the editorial did not refer to Bilawal's intemperate language about Altar Hussain, threatening to make his life hell. And while Peoples Party demands creation of Seraiki province, which is indeed a legitimate demand, why is it so wrong to demand the creation of new administrative units in Sindh?
And it is an established fact that during Pervez Musharraf's rule when MQM really exercised some powers, it did change Karachi into a modern city. Seeing the conditions prevailing in the rural Sindh, one reaches the inevitable conclusion that Peoples Party does not own, and care much for, even the region it wins its assembly seats from. So, how can the Karachiites be expected to become delighted over Bilawal's claim of owning Karachi where his party's presence is negligible.
And it is indeed surprising that the editor could see nothing wrong with Bilawal challenging MQM's performance during its twenty year long rule over Sindh when the fact is that winning simple majority due to outdated arrangement which gives more seats to rural Sindh, Peoples Party secures simple majority and exercises absolute powers even when MQM is nominally its coalition partner. We saw how the Peoples Party hacked down the Sindh Local Government Act, stripping it of all its powers despite MQM protests, and failed to hold local government elections even for the much-diluted local governments, thus preventing MQM from playing a role in the administration of the city of which it holds ovrwhelming mandate.. Sindh, as well as other provinces' lethargy and lack of interest in public welfare can be judged by the fact that Superior Judiciary has been forced to intervene in this issue.
Karachi
Leave MQM protest aside, facts can’t be brushed away by rhetoric or threatening language. Karachi problem — all those who are holding to Karachi' administrative, financial and security related powers, are not the stake holders of the city. We need to be honest while criticizing others — LG elections not held for years, LG system powers stripped, quota system enforced for decades, govt jobs only for rural Sindh(visit the Sind Secretariat to find out). MQM joins the govt only to have some say in city affairs; as opposition they are just outcasts. Let people be responsible for their own affair, otherwise, MQM or no-MQM, polarization based on feeling of deprivation will remain continue.
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