Letting go of the apron strings is tougher than it looks
No party seeking guidance from Altaf Hussain can be allowed to function in Pakistan after his recent invective against the country. The interior ministry has approached the British government seeking action against Altaf Hussain for trying to create anarchy in Pakistan and incite people to violence. Petitions have been filed in courts asking for a ban on MQM and bringing back Altaf Hussain through Interpol for trial. The MQM will have to totally dissociate itself from its erstwhile mentor in case it wants to continue to take part in politics in Pakistan. The first step in the direction is to introduce the required amendment in its constitution to demonstrate that the party is in no way subservient to Altaf Hussain’s whims or those of his London network. As Amir Liaquat put it, there has to be an end to Altaf’s veto power in MQM affairs. Unless this is done demands being made to ban the MQM by some would gain support.
No parliamentary party, whether in the government or opposition, would agree to anything less. Opposition leader Khursheed Shah has said that the minus-one formula remains the only option for the MQM. Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has meanwhile expressed the government’s resolve not to push any political force to the wall. He has, however, sought assurance that the MQM would not henceforth act on calls from London. It is time the post-22 August Muttahida Qaumi Movement emerged as a democratic organisation in which no office bearer or leader was given dictatorial powers.
Despite dissociating himself and the MQM from Altaf Hussin’s denunciation of Pakistan, Farooq Sattar had earlier hesitated to disown the party supremo. He now maintains that the MQM Pakistan has parted ways with Altaf Hussain and the London Secretariat. There is a need to substantiate that this is not merely a tactical move to hoodwink the establishment and MQM’s opponents as is being claimed by the leadership of the Pak Sarzameen Party.