There are several political parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement that advocate the Mohajir cause? What is your party’s point of view on the Mohajir cause? Aamir Khan: We believe that Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) is the only genuine political party that is struggling peacefully and positively for the Muhajir cause. Our main demand is that Muhajirs should be given their rights like all other nationalities that live in Pakistan and resources should be distributed equally between nationalities.
As far as Muttahida Qaumi Movement is concerned, they ended the ethnic factor in 1997 and changed their party’s name to Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Therefore, we cannot accept their claim of Muhajir cause now.
The Eastern Tribune: What was the cause of your separation from Muttahida Qaumi Movement? Aamir Khan: In 1989, I was included in the Central Committee from Zone of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which was Mohajir Qaumi Movement at that time.
After joining the Central Committee, many realities were reveled upon me. I felt that the party matters are being executed in an autocratic manner. There is one man show going on in the party. Personality worshipping is being promoted within the party and policies of clash with other political parties were being adopted. Corrupt people are being given importance in the party and extremist thoughts are active. The most important of all besides this was that the party had links with foreign agencies and a suspicious behavior regarding the integrity of Pakistan.
At first, I raised disagreement at such policies, but when I felt that there is no change in the policies, I left the party in 1991. The Eastern Tribune: What are your differences with MQM (Afaq Group)?
Aamir Khan: Initially, I and Afaq together laid the foundation for Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) in 1991 and we are appreciated by and large in the city. We had our unit office in every area in Karachi. But gradually, I realized that Afaq Ahmed is on the same track of personality worshipping and the policy of extremism is being promoted.
I had an exchange of thoughts with Afaq Ahmed about the matter. But when I felt that there are no changes in the policies, I left and went to Dubai in 1994. In 1999, when I came back to Karachi, our organization had contacted to only few areas in Karachi. On my return, Afaq Ahmed contacted me and requested me to play an active role in the organization and assured that all my complains will be compensated. After the assurance, I started participating actively in party affairs.
Due to my efforts, our party won a national assembly seat and one provincial assembly seat in 2002 elections. But, unfortunately after the 2002 elections, Pervez Musharraf favouring Muttahida Qaumi Movement started an unconstitutional state operation against Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi). During this period, I and Afaq Ahmed were arrested. Even after the arrest, Afaq Ahmed insisted on his wrong policies and caused severe damage to the party. Afaq Ahmed kept people with criminal nature and background close to him and enforced these people in the party.
Due to which, office bearers and workers of our party got worried. They contacted me in jail; I instructed them to discuss the matter themselves and whatever decision they will take, I will stick to it. All central leaders and senior workers agreed that we should announce separation from Afaq Ahmed. I agreed on their decision and announced a separate organization – Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi).
The Eastern Tribune: News regarding reconciliation between you and Altaf Hussain are making their way. How true is this? Are you in favour of reconciliation? Aamir Khan: If you mean that Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Afaq Group) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement are being merged, then it is totally incorrect. It is only a propaganda by our rivals which I strongly refute. There is no truth in such propaganda.
As far as reconciliation is concerned, I favour it. Just as different political parties respect each other despite ideological differences, meet with each other and maintain relationships, similarly, Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement should maintain relationships. Similarly, as Muttahida Qaumi Movement promotes their thoughts and point of views in public, Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) should also be allowed to promote their ideas in public. Both parties should tolerate each other. The differences between two parties should only be political differences and not enmity between workers.
