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Marshmallow Here it is:
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Ahmed Tamjid Aijazi
It’s not over yet!
It seems that the unexpected political activism in Karachi for Elections 2013 has caused serious consequences for Muttahida Qaumi Movement, once the most popular political party of the Urdu speaking community. The apparent reaction to PTI, JI and civil society’s massive protests against rigging has resulted in cold blooded murder of Zehra Shahid Hussain, Senior Vice President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf on 18th May 2013 and the murder of Abid Ilyas, former nazim union council Liaquatabad Town affiliated with Jamat-e-Islami on 17th May 2013.
The situation could be analyzed from a couple of different perspectives. The fact that deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi over the past few years never raised serious concerns from rangers, army and security agencies is quite alarming. Many people believe that army’s silence has lately been a key factor in deteriorating Karachi’s situation. It points to either Pakistan Army’s involvement and support for armed groups in Karachi or their incapability to cope up with more powerful non-state actors.
The murder of PTI’s Senior Vice President Zehra Shahid Hussain one day before the re-polling in NA-250, where army was already deployed adds to the argument. Murder in presence of a large number of rangers, army or police officials proves their incapability to perform their duties, despite drawing a huge budget from taxpayer’s money.
The global perspective to Karachi’s situation is that United Kingdom has been directly or indirectly patronizing terrorism in Karachi by providing all sorts of comfort to MQM’s chief Altaf Hussain. Despite recent protest and complains by thousands of Pakistanis from all over the world about the involvement of a British citizen in inciting hatred and executing cold blooded murders in Karachi, there is no significant legal action by United Kingdom’s police and government. This could be in line with “some greater agenda” of separating Karachi from Pakistan, which has been cited by Hussain a number of times.
Repect Party MP for Bradford West, George Galloway, a strong supporter of Pakistan since 40 years, has been vocal against Altaf Hussain and has asked the British Prime Minister and Home Secretary to remove MQM leader’s British citizenship. Mr. Galloway tweeted:
The next Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif looks like a more mature politician now, and ground reality is, he is the key person who can help bring some relief to the people of Karachi, unless restricted by international stakeholders. However, his statements and proceedings indicate that he is more power hungry than before and willing to do anything to protect his ‘Prime Minister Kingdom’ for the next 5 years.
His meeting with COAS and apparent assurance not to proceed with Musharraf’s trial is another discouraging news, which also indicates that he might not pursue anything against MQM to ensure stability for his government.
The next important person in the list is PTI’s Chairman Imran Khan. Mr. Khan filed a case in the United Kingdom against Altaf Hussain, but could not proceed with it because Government of Pakistan and establishment held back evidences against MQM’s chief. However, this will not be the case in next few months.
Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan will be the two main players in the new government, both being victims of MQM’s hatred and terrorism. Unless the personal interests of Nawaz Sharif stop both from cleaning up the dirty mess in Karachi, there is no reason why corrective administrative measures should not be taken to improve Karachi’s situation. Both the leaders have the political ability and strength to do so. Ground realities might be challenging in Karachi, but it is will that matters.
More importantly, after the murder of PTI’s Senior Vice President in Karachi, Imran might also have realized the blunder he commited by opting for a softer stance against MQM in pursuit of votes from the Urdu speaking community. Neither was PTI able to secure any seats from Karachi, nor PTI workers are any safer today in the metropolis. Karachiites would have been better off if they could see an end to the legal proceedings with a positive outcome.
PTI has emerged as the second largest party in Karachi after MQM and people of Karachi voted for change. The effort for change does not end with polling at NA-250 or other constituencies. With all the international influence that Imran Khan has, coupled with so-called political wisdom of Nawaz Sharif added to the street power of Jamat-e-Islami and the civil society, Karachi can still get rid of this menace.
The way thousands of Pakistanis called up London Police and registered a complain against a British citizen spreading hatred in Karachi, it’s time now to flood Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Pakistan Army and Chief Justice with calls and texts. Once this circle of influence start to feel the heat from Karachi, they are sure to act on it or keep up with the pressure. The numbers listed at the end of this article might help you.
Nawaz Sharif +92 307 4444455
Hamza Shahbaz Sharif +92 300 8441822
Imran Khan +92 333 5003000, +92 300 8541020
Director General ISPR Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa
+92-302-8555741
+92-51-9271600, +92-51-56130041
dg@ispr.gov.pk
Chief Justice of Pakistan +92-51-9220581, +92-51-9220600