The final days of Altaf Hussain

What “mental pressures” await him and the MQM?

“Pakistan is cancer for the entire world,” Altaf Hussain said. “Pakistan is a headache for the entire world. Pakistan is the epicenter of terrorism for the entire world. Who says long live Pakistan…it’s down with Pakistan.” Altaf later said that he gave such statements because he was in a great mental stress. Are such fiery statements owing to his inner irritations and frustration, or is it defeatism because of his imminent demise? Is he bipolar, or a patient of depression, that at one time he would crack a joke on a TV channel while being live on a show and another time would get aggressive and speak without thinking? One can expect a conspirator to ooze out such venom against his own country.

If it is true that MQM has truly parted ways with Altaf Hussain, he is going to experience a spell of severe depression. His current situation is a stark departure from the way he used to address almost all of Karachi and personally deal with the affairs of the party himself from London with his legions of supporters turning to him for decisions. Now he is left with no recourse but to sit idle; he is going to have a lot of free time on his hands. He would start feeling isolated, ignored, cornered and surrounded – a horrible rejection that he cannot digest.

At this stage, there is no political party or government left to sympathise, give any leverage, or show any indication of reconciliation with Altaf Hussain. Altaf cannot protect himself now from his own guilt. He is mentally disoriented, confused and bewildered. An alarming debate has been started in academic circles that he could commit suicide or face a mysteriously unexplained death.

Questions are also raised, like what would be the mental condition of a person, who always has wanted death for others and committing new sins for getting over the strong feelings of guilt associated with wrong doings? From torturing traders for not giving bhatta, killing people for his selfish agendas and getting those killed who could have posed a sort of threat – these are the obvious signs of a psychopath.

Apart from the fact that MQM has parted ways with Altaf Hussain, it might have been a Godsend and an ideal situation for Farooq Sattar to take such decision that MQM is going to be run from Karachi and not from London. Recently, he has also started addressing the former leader as Altaf Sahib and Altaf instead of Altaf Bhai, Quaid e Tahreek.

But if the situation is turned around and Farooq Sattar could get the party through difficult times, MQM will be in the race again and Altaf Hussain would jump in. Although, there are rare chances for such scenario, because the Sindh Rangers are taking strict action against such violent people, the way they deserve. Who would want to be in Rangers’ custody?  Why would Farooq Sattar and other party leaders take responsibility for actions they haven’t taken?

This time Rangers are a step ahead in tackling the situation and sending in their female armed force to MQM headquarters, when MQM tried to take women hostage for their agenda to attack media channels and other buildings. It simply shows that it’s going to be a ‘show no mercy’ formula to deal with such individuals. And why would they be given any leeway – after everything Altaf Hussain has done with his party workers, no sane political leader can afford to take such vicious action against the nation. There are serious consequences for such traitors.

The State decided to take action against Altaf Hussain and this time the hammer seems to have come down hard. Even the UK will not be able to protect him.  When one is mentally debilitated, he cannot live long with physical fitness only. The old demagogue has deteriorated mentally, physically, spiritually and morally. What refuge does he have left? The only redemption he can seek is with God. Although nobody except Satan will mourn his passing.