Former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf, who himself heads a political party, has slapped all the violence in Karachi on political groups – including his former ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which holds absolute sway in the coastal city of 20 million.
“All the riots that ever broke out in the metropolis could be traced back to these political parties. It’s time to rein in these rogues. They must be stopped from fanning fear, unrest, and agitation in the financial hub of the country,” Musharraf said in a TV programme on Monday.
Also, Musharraf made no bones giving MQM leader Altaf Hussain a bad rap for his hate speeches against the armed forces of Pakistan. “Hussain should not have used such abusive language against the defenders of Pakistan,” the ex-military chief said.
To another curveball of a question, Musharraf claimed he had no idea whatsoever about the MQM’s receiving funds from Indian spymaster Research & Analysis Wing (RAW).
“Though, I did not have a ‘high opinion’ about them back in the day, but during my stint as the president of Pakistan there was no militancy in the MQM. I came to know this party only after it rose to power,” Musharraf, himself an aspiring politician with All Pakistan Muslim League party, said.
But Musharraf did admit that political parties do maintain militant wings. When asked if he was interested in succeeding Altaf Hussain as the leader of the MQM, the erstwhile commando took no time in saying “Absolutely not, I have no intention to lead the MQM at all.”