Adil Najam
News reports suggest that the MQM (now the Muttihada Quami Movement) has held large simultaneous rallies in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan with its leader in “voluntary” exile Altaf Hussain addressing the rallies over the phone.
It would be fair to say that the MQM has been a largely Karachi-based but increasingly urban-Sindh phenomenon wielding immense political influence in those areas and that most people in the Punjab have looked at the party, its tactics and its leadership with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The party’s leader, Altaf Hussain, who is now a British citizen and has lived in voluntary exile in London for over 18 years still seems to hold total control over the party and his phenomenon is even less comprehensible to many outside of the MQM’s traditional stronghold areas.
The MQM has, in fact, been trying to expand its areas of influence, including in the Punjab. First outside of Karachi and Hyderabad to the rest of urban Sindh, then into rural Sindh, and more recently into the rest of the country. The push into Punjab seems to be a concerted one and is synchornized and planned. It remains to be seen what, if anything, will come out of this. But given the political and organizational resources the MQM brings with it, this is clearly a challenge to Punjab’s political status quo that they will not be taking lightly.
I myself am not at all sure what this means. Is the MQM truly out on a national expansion or whether this is a move geared more towards consolidating their position in Sindh rather than actually expanding into the Punjab? What sort of political reception will they get in the Punjab, and from whom? What are they reading in the political tea leaves about the changing fortunes of the established parties in the Punjab – the PPP and PMLs – and also about the political frustrations of the general electorate? How will the other players respond to this move?
Like much that comes out of the MQM, there seems to be a thought-out plan behind this move, but it is not yet clear what it is.
More comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “nothing happened, MQM never find support from any other area of Pakistan”
– “Obviously Imran K is a far better choice than Altaf. I just heard little bit of altaf’s speach, sonded really funny. Even thought i personally dont agree with the MQM and their tactics , i still believe that they should come to Punjab as one it will break the monoply of Nawaz sharif secondly MQm needs to enter into mainstream politics as almost every party is limited to only one provine e-g MSL(n) in punja b, PPP in Sindh, etc. This situation is not very desirable as it reminds me of Butto/Mujeeb election.
And perhaps MQM will stop voilence as well.”
– “Pakistan has been seeing various political parties that have been talking a lot about people and their problems. But many times we think who is actually a true representative of people? Political parties across the country are more the vehicles of elite to ensure their power structures. And Insahallah we are sure they will success in Punjab also.”
– “Autumn the divorce between trees and leaves,
Beginning of the winter, as we believe.
Leaves falling like drops of rain,
Trying to fly but in vain.
Wandering on the roofs, alleys and streets,
Crushing under the walking feet.
The trees feed the leaves, making them strong.
Keeping them green and fresh, all along.
When a leaf leaves the tree.
It becomes lifeless, direction-less and fall free.
I see these falling leaves and think,
All the things of nature have a link.
A person who loose his faith is just like a falling leaf,
Having no direction, no purpose of life and no belief,
Falling from the tree of faith, loosing life’s flame,
Wandering on the streets of life without any aim.
Faith is the strength and essence of life.
Keep your faith alive in peace and strife.
-By Dr. Imran Farooq
So we request keep ur faith alive and support MQM is making good changes.”
– “MQM call there self the party ov mahajirs ..wat does tht mean ???lo0k at Altaf hussain setting out side get a certificate ov Terrorist from swiss govt….he is just a Coward man never dare to come back pakistan …we d0nt want educated ppl…we want wise and patriotic muslims for whole pakistan n0t only for punjab.”
– “Every national political party has inalienable right to promote its interests nationwide. MQM is no different. Let us be Pakistanis and not Punjabi’s, Baluchi, Pathan or Sindhi for a change. MQM’s may be of dubious character, but then again which main stream political party in NOT dubious?”
– “IF a Bull Elephant goes mad and start crushing people in a zoo, will you just say oh its just temporary..it will pass..same is the case with MQM it was a big animal in a zoo called Karachi and then it became mad and now whole Pakistan is its target..KILL IT BEFORE IT CAUSES MORE KILLINGS”
MQM is a notorious party for they have always benn said to responsible for the circumstances in Karachi but the MNA of MQM in Karachi ‘Mustafa Kamal’ has done alot of work there and has constructed alot of bridges and roads and etc. This is the only good thing abt it but otherwise MQM will notbe successful in Punjab or any other province as our people know very good abt Altaf Hussain and his Dramas.
There are enough problems in Punjab already.
MQM is not needed.
MQM Goes to the Punjab: What Will Come of it?
Phone and purse snatching, killings of people who oppose them, politics motivated by hatered and on linguistic basis.
@wasiq,
all other parties aside, PPP is definitely not a Sindhi party; in fact, they received more votes in the Punjab than in Sindh.