Politics of vote bank
Politics of vote bank
Editorial
Editorial

Pakistan is facing the most serious crisis since its inception. It I more serious than we faced one in 1971 resulting in separation of Muslim Bengal from rest of Pakistan.

Pakistan is facing the most serious crisis since its inception. It I more serious than we faced one in 1971 resulting in separation of Muslim Bengal from rest of Pakistan.

Some Mohajir leaders claimed that they are the sole creator of Pakistan by taking out processions and holding rallies in support of Pakistan ignoring the century old resistance to British military occupation of Balochistan, Sindh and parts of Afghanistan which later become part of Pakistan.

Two Mohajir leaders—Farooq Sattar and Mustafa Kamal, chiefs of two Mohajir Parties—announced their decision to defend the old MQM vote bank by forming a political alliance. Farooq Sattar, the number one beneficiary of MQM, categorically declared that division of MQM vote bank is unacceptable and that is why he is forging an alliance.

Mustafa Kamal of the PSP said that we have to shelve the Mohajir politics as it will alienate the Mohajirs or the precisely Urdu speaking people and harmed their prime interests. He opposed to contest the next election on the slogan of Mohajir and instead of integrating or uniting Mohajirs with other communities highlighting the more important political and economic issues.

Offering classic remarks about MQM, he said that the MQM belonged to Altaf Hussain and it will remain his property in future also. Presumably this stand of Mustafa Kamal forced Farooq Sattar to agree to some other name or one party and one election symbol for contesting the joint elections.

It seems that Farooq Sattar is more interested in defending the MQM vote bank ignoring the ground realities or other pressing political and national issues. Farooq Sattar, basically a Gujarati speaking, laid greater emphasis on keeping the MQM vote bank undivided while Mustafa Kamal having a broader outlook on national issues including defending the interest of other ethnic groups in politics.

Former military dictator, General ® Pervez Musharraf, was found more interested in Mohajir unity and he welcomed the move in the hope he would be made the chief of the new Mohajir Party.

MQM flourish tremendously under his military dictatorship and it was the beneficiary of the Musharraf rule dominating the politics of Sindh as whole. MQM remained the dominating coalition partner in Sindh advanced its legitimate and illegitimate interests during the Musharraf misrule.

MQM and its leaders were the prime beneficiaries of the NRO as thousands of criminal cases, including hundreds of murder cases against the MQM leaders and activists were closed for ever. There are speculations that Pervez Musharraf is interested to become the Chief of the new Mohajir Party as he had no followers and his party collapsed during the last general elections.

It is unlikely that the MQM or the PSP will ever agree or accept a discredited General to become their party chief. Pervez Musharraf is now part of the history as Mr. Altaf Hussain. A shrewd Farooq Sattar will never surrender his power and authority or his party position in favour of Pervez Musharraf.

Musharraf’s expectations are totally misplaced having no relevancy with the political realities on the ground. Pakistan is passing through a very critical stage of its political history where there are least chances that elections will ever be held under the present uncertain conditions. Pakistan’s relations with USA, India and Afghanistan are not normal rather tense to say it precisely.

Both India and Afghanistan are trying to generate more heat in their relations with Pakistan adopting hostile acts making the international borders insecure and tense. Both the countries are enjoying support from the super power America in keeping the relations tense and unfriendly with efforts to isolate Pakistan in the comity of nations, including in the region.

However, the COAS made a breakthrough in our relations with Iran convincing Iran to make joint efforts in the interest of regional peace and security and confront the aggressive US policies.