Not as simple as it seems
The BBC report regarding the shenanigans of the MQM depends entirely on information provided by unspecified authorities in Pakistan rather than on direct British intelligence sources. This could lead some to conclude that elements hostile to the MQM in Pakistan might have concocted the story as they did the Jinnahpur episode on 1992 only to admit later that it was a fabrication. The strength of the report however lies in the fact that it has been filed by a reputable media organisation. What is more, in view of Britain’s stringent anti-libel laws the BBC would not have published the story without confirming its authenticity.
The charges levelled against the MQM are highly damaging. They include receiving funds from India and getting hundreds of terrorists trained in the neigbouring country. Intriguingly, the number of the trainees increased after 2006 during Musharraf era when the party was a close ally of the military ruler. The story should be embarrassing for the country’s security agencies who have been caught pants down a second time within five weeks after the Axact affair. If the governments are to come to know about scams and conspiracies that are highly damaging for the country’s reputation and security through American or British reporters, what are our own agencies meant for? If the Pakistani agencies had any inkling into MQM’s alleged misdeeds, it was their duty to collect actionable evidence and take those involved to the courts. With all the facts at their disposal they could have provided the same to the government to enable it to raise the issue of India’s direct involvement in terrorism in Pakistan at the relevant UN agency.
The government and the agencies cannot ignore the report. They have to determine on the basis of the evidence available the level of complicity of those found to be involved. The government should then take the culprits to court instead of conducting the media trial of the MQM which despite its peculiar ideology and style of work remains the most popular party in urban Sindh.