Articles of the year 2014
Published on February 22nd 2014
Altaf Husain has finally realized that Pakistan would be the safest place for him. Unfortunately he left it too late, and having applied for asylum by making statements against the Pakistan Governments, he has finally requested the same Pakistani establishment to rescue him from the British Legal system. The MQM being in a minority in the Government, may raise questions about Altaf's harsh pronouncements against the Government from the safety of England. This safety is now in jeopardy. The MQM cannot now keep insisting it is above the law. The UK police has acted very carefully, for they are aware of the Fascist tendency of the MQM and the underlying threat to British interests in Pakistan. They have bolstered their defenses around their Offices, as they know the propensity for reprisals from the MQM goons.
The MQM has suffered from the uncompromising character of Altaf, and this has kept them limited to the Urdu speaking areas of the three cities in Sindh only, this attitude has limited the Party to disallowing liberals to join, as this would stop anyone from voicing any dissension, or criticism of the leadership. Many intellectuals were kept out for their liberal views, and or their inability to offer unconditional support- a basic requirement for membership of the MQM. The developed countries have a very advanced Judiciary, which is more powerful than the Government itself. And they do not encourage, rather they discourage vehemently any violation of their independence from any interference laws. They realized a long time ago that upholding the law was the most important function of any Government, thus showing the woeful plight of the Pakistani Governments, and hence their vulnerability to coups.
The Establishment must decide and act in defense of the independence of the Judiciary to define the limits beyond which the Government can or cannot act. Limiting the Governments boundaries will be an unsavoury act but will have to be done. Otherwise the judiciary will become the handmaiden of the Government--- certainly not desirable. We have seen the damage a rubber stamp judiciary can allow.
We will have to see whether the newly chastised MQM curbs its naked aggression, or its Bhatta collection. The strangle hold on Karachi has led to the closing of 70% of the industries, forcing the relocation of the industries to Punjab, Sri Lanka or Bangla Desh. The loss to the Pakistani economy cannot be calculated, for the flight of capital, was accompanied by the flight of management as well. The only remnant were the unfortunate labourers, who became jobless. The MQM must realize their need to bear the burden of responsibility for the ripple effect of their actions. They donot have any shining examples of Industrial or commercial successes that they can hold up. All their actions have invariably led to unemployment. Employment in their special fields, such as water distribution was funded by diversion of water to the Tanker mafia, which today is a multi billion rupee enterprise. At 3000 PKR per tanker, i.e RS 1per Gallon a new lucrative trade /industry has been established.
Will all this be changed under the new MQM.?