MQM in a bind

Careful with the showdown, though

Even if much about MQM’s rebuttal – of the Baldia factory JIT report – is taken at face value, its response is making the fallout that much more difficult to manage. Granted, there is some mystery surrounding the revelation; at least its timing. Why now? And why at all, as Altaf Hussain questioned, since the habit is brushing JITs under the carpet. Are there, then, political reasons for the timing, especially after Zardari sb and Altaf bhai buried the hatchet, again?

While it is for relevant quarters to explain the timing, the charges are serious. And since our political spectrum isn’t exactly the kind of environment where you are innocent till proven guilty – and MQM knows it – the party is perhaps overstepping in its defence. Suddenly there are links to May12 in addition to the Baldia fire which, apparently, was no accident. And while individual acts must not be associated with parties, investigating agencies must prove, once and for all, if there was indeed a link, implying a go-ahead from the party. It doesn’t help MQM, of course, that it has a long record of violence, intimidation and extortion.

The party must also be careful about where it points its fingers, especially since it, too, must back its allegations with evidence. Talk of “black sheep” among the intelligence community is dangerous. But threats to media-persons, especially anchors, are unacceptable. Words to the effect that journalists would be responsible for their reporting are not clear, not veiled, threats. By blaming political parties, media and the intelligence agency instead of making a solid, legal defence, the party is reacting aggressively rather than taking a more measured route. Unless saner counsel prevails, push will come to shove again, and the people of Karachi, and beyond, will far more than politicians and parties. Both the government and MQM must be careful about how this showdown unwinds.