And the trick might work
Politics has turned into a game of chess in Sindh. The MQM has abandoned the PPP-led coalition several times only to return to the fold within days or weeks. The game has gone on with such regularity that few would take its latest parting of ways seriously. This time the party has accused the PPP of allegedly patronising terrorists from Lyari that are involved in gang war. Withdrawing cases against criminals on political grounds is a practice that has gone on in Karachi for decades and has become all too common since 2008. All the parties in the ruling alliance including the MQM have been accused of getting their favourites released through political pressure.
Many believe that much of the bloodshed and lawlessness in Karachi is the outcome of turning the administration into a handmaiden of the ruling parties. As long as releases of the sort benefit all sides, none of the partners raises the issue. The Supreme Court was recently told that the Sindh Home Department had released on parole 193 convicts who had been sentenced over crimes such as murder, illegal possession of arms, and kidnapping for ransom. This was obviously done to provide them an opportunity to abscond – which they promptly did. Despite the court’s repeated urging, the Karachi police declined to reveal the political affiliations of the criminals arrested for 3,000 murders. It is interesting that the MQM at the time looked the other way but is now agitating against the release of the Lyari Peace Committee activists.
Many think the parting of ways is yet another move on the chessboard. The declaration by the MQM having 50 seats in Sindh Assembly may in fact be a tactical move to hijack the top opposition post currently lying vacant. The caretaker chief minister is to be appointed in about four weeks’ time through consultation between the chief minister and the leader of the opposition. Despite repeated demand by 17 members currently sitting on the opposition benches to appoint the leader of the opposition, the Speaker has declined to oblige. This strengthens the perception that the PPP and the MQM are colluding to keep both positions in their hands to have a joint monopoly on the interim appointment. That the move comes four days before the expiry of the order of the Sindh High Court to appoint a leader of the opposition in the Assembly further corroborates the view. In case this really turns out to be an instance of collusion, it would mean that instead of parting company, the PPP and MQM in fact plan to work together even after the elections.
The trick might work but this would cause dismay in the real opposition of the province.
