Deciphering political developments from a unique vantage point
Pakistani politics has clearly gone into high gear. From PTI/PAT dharna to jalsa transformation, PPP attempts at resurgence in Punjab, to MQM breaking away in Sindh and its spill-over in the national assembly, pieces are clearly being moved on the political chessboard. There is growing talk of a mid-term election; hence the charged atmosphere, and reports of possible party defections that could upset the balance in Punjab are doing the rounds. For a fresh perspective, DNA talks to Barrister Saif, whose political profile, and affiliations, present a unique interpretation of latest events.
Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif is the new provincial president of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chapter of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). He has been a close aide of General (r) Pervez Musharraf and secretary-general of his party – APML. He is known for his brave and loaded statements and is equally acclaimed for his commitment to his party leadership. He has been an active commander of Afghan jihad who fought bravely against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif has also served as federal minister for youth affairs and Chairman of National Volunteers Movement (NVM). From his affiliation from the Jamat-e-Islami’s student wing to its bitter foe, the MQM, Saif has always been in the headlines due to his strong commitment with his leadership, strong statements and clear vision.
QUESTION: How do you interpret the fast developing political situation in the country? How do you see the sit-in of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) of Dr Allama Tahirul Qadri has withdrawn?
Mohammad Ali Saif: Our party position has been very clear. We agree with the stance and position of the sit-in participants.
However, there may be difference of opinion on the modus operandi to achieve these goals. I think that due to the follies and political blunders of the PML-N government, the voice of opposition is getting popular among the people. It is heartening to note that the demands and vision of Altaf Hussain are now being supported by other politicians as well.
Those repeating “Marsun Marsun” in every speech have never visited the poor people of Sindh, nor have any understanding about how they are dying of hunger and disease on a daily basis
Though there are political mistakes by Imran Khan and Dr Qadri, they are not being targeted by the people as the government is the focus of the public eye. But I request Imran Khan not to play Punjabi politics on the strength his party has gained through the votes of Pashtoon people. Khan, in my view, should have focused on resolving the problems faced by the people of KP rather than vying for the premiership as Pashtoons have given him power on which he is now playing across Punjab.
Moreover, the withdrawal of Dr Qadri’s sit-in has weakened the PTI’s show in the red zone, but due to the people’s hatred of Nawaz Sharif and company, one can’t exactly predict the future political course.
Q: The recent confrontation between the MQM and the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has further heated the political environment in the country in general and in Sindh in specific. Do you think this confrontation would last long?
MAS: The tiff between the PPP and MQM is not a new phenomenon as far as the politics of Sindh is concerned. It has roots in the history and the recent skirmishes are reflective of the fact that injustice had been meted to with the Mohajirs. It is a fact that the PPP leaders have time and again plundered national resources in the name of the poor but did nothing for the poor of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan or KP.
MQM has struggled against the powerful and mighty feudal class of Sindh who don’t believe in delivery of rights to the people on the streets. The nation knows well that though the poor remained poor but the personal assets of Zardari family grew manifold.
Whether those were the secret off-shore Swiss accounts, Surrey Palace or French Chateau, the wealth of Asif has Bilawal Zardari has grown considerably. On the other hand, the children in Thar have died of hunger and dehydration. But the Zardaris only raise slogans in the name of Sindh, while doing nothing for Sindhis practically.
Those repeating “Marsun Marsun” in every speech have never visited the poor people of Sindh, nor have any understanding about how they are dying of hunger and disease on a daily basis.
On the contrary, MQM is a party of the middle class and its leadership believes in serving the people at the grass roots level. Due to our services, a large middle class is developing and the number of poor has reduced.
As far as rights of Mohajirs are concerned, I believe that whether it is Urdu speaking, Pashto, Saraiki or Punjabi speaking, people who have migrated due to different reasons are all Mohajirs
Q: How would you work in KP for MQM as the gulf between Mohajirs and Pashtoons is widening by each day passing in Karachi and Hyderabad?
MAS: I am a born fighter and I love taking challenges. But working for MQM in KP is neither a difficult task nor a challenge. But I deplore the fact that whether its Taliban attacks on civilians in KP, army operation in the mountainous region of KP and Fata or the Rangers taking on militants in Karachi, the blood of Pashtoons is being spilt. My heart bleeds when I see the blood spilling of Pashtoons and that is the reason that I have decided to accept this challenge.
Moreover, while operation Zarb-e-Azb continues, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been the worst victims who have lost their homes and are left alone in their misery by the federal and KP governments as both are fighting for the throne.
As far as rights of Mohajirs are concerned, I believe that whether it is Urdu speaking, Pashto, Saraiki or Punjabi speaking, people who have migrated due to different reasons are all Mohajirs.
Mutahidda provides the best platform to raise and ensure delivery of rights to the Mohajirs of Karachi irrespective of the fact that the Mohajirs are Urdu speaking or they are Punjabi, Pashtoons, Hazars or Saraiki. And this is not my claim either rather this was announced by Khan Abdul Wali Khan, whom I have great respect for, while addressing a huge gathering in Karachi in 1989 where he said that those fueling tensions among Pashtoons and Urdu speaking were a common enemy.
He not only said so but Khan Wali Khan also claimed that both Urdu and Pashto speaking Mohajirs had traveled almost the same distance to work for their livelihood in Karachi. Wali Khan also visited nine-zero, the MQM headquarters the same day, and had shook hands with MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
So I think that working for MQM in KP is like working for Pashto speaking people as you know, now Karachi hosts more Pashtoons than KP.
Q: What’s your take on the recent demands of creation of Mohajir province, Saraiki province, Bahawalpur or Hazara province in the country?
MAS: MQM believes in delivery of rights to the oppressed and abused people. We support creation of new provinces on administrative basis; whether it is demand for creation of new provinces by the people who have been denied of their basic rights or it is about restoration of old provinces like the case of Bahawalpur.
I strongly believe that creation of new provinces is the only way to strengthen the federation of Pakistan, while it would also help alleviate hatred in smaller provinces against Punjab and the hegemony of Punjabi establishment over resources and its share. Moreover, it would also help empower the poor people of Punjab who have been victims of discrimination of their powerful elite, business tycoons and feudal lords.