Change Your Mindset, Instead Of Targeting Altaf Hussain!

So, still there is much noise in the Pakistani politics over Altaf Hussain`s address to his followers who gathered at “90” as a protest over SSP Rao Anwar`s accusing MQM`s workers of being RAW`s (Indian spy agency) agents.

MQM`s chief was and is still being bashed for allegedly having used improper words against the Pakistan Army. ISPR`s official tweeter account said that Altaf Hussains remarks were “disgusting” and not acceptable. The tweets also announced to take a legal action against him. As soon as ISPR`s views came through tweets, there began a wave of criticism from different political and religious parties targeting Altaf Hussain. Practically, the ISPR`s tweets acted like a switch-on button for MQM`s rivals to start hitting its leadership below the belt.

MQM`s co-ordination committee altogether denied the charge of disrespecting the Army chief and explained that Altaf Hussain, rather, praised Gen. Raheel Sharif and requested him to provide justice to MQM and Muhajirs. On top of all, MQM`s founder Altaf Hussain unconditionally tendered apology for any of his words which, anyhow, offended the feelings of Army officials. He, at the same time, once again urged the Army chief to end the on-going victimization of MQM and Urdu speaking community. However, the filthy campaign maligning him is still continuing. Question is, when MQM`s rivals can go to the extent of demanding Article 6 and even threatening to bulldoze “90” in the name of “reaction”, why can`t Altaf Hussain give just a protest speech against calling Munajirs the RAW`s agents`??

Similarly, the baseless allegations of Jinnahpur conspiracy and the (still unstolen) 19,000 NATO containers came directly from the Army officials against MQM and Muhajirs. Consequently, should the ISPR not have tendered unconditional apology for offending the feelings the most patriot community and the party? Did we see any tweet, any JIT or legal action against those officers involved in criminalizing MQM and Urdus peaking people? Then logically, does anyone deserve to even criticize Altaf Hussain over his so-called “criticizing Army”?

Principally speaking, when ISPR and Pakistani political and religious parties can show so harsh reactions against Altaf Hussain over his speech that was based on facts, why did they not express this kind of reaction against the racially-motivated disgrace to the Urdu speaking people (Muhajirs) when they were called “Bhokey Nangey”,” Kaley Klotey”, “Zinda Lashen”? These were in addition to the threats of making Muhajirs have a bloodbath and/or throw them in the Arabian Sea. But, we saw no protest or condemnation in return. It looked as if all those dishonor and threats were “acceptable” for ISPR and the people who are speaking against Altaf Hussain these days.

Karachi-ites still remember that Zulfiqar Mirza, the former interior minister Sindh, confessed to have issued 300,000 arm licenses to kill Muhajirs. Yet neither the government nor the armed forces, whose prime responsibility is to ensure security of people, took any action against him. Perhaps, it was not “disgusting” as it was against Muhajirs. What if he had threatened any other community or military establishment instead of MQM and Karachi-ites, would there have been the same criminal silence in

that case too? People know the answer.

The attack at Supreme Court from PML-N, Nawaz Sharif`s accusing Pak army of launching Kargil operation without the approval of an elected Prime Minisetr, Kh. Asif`s speech against Army, Imran Khan`s filthy words for generals, his call of civil disobedience, inciting people to occupy PTV building and Parliament house etc are some examples of several times bigger and more severe crimes than what Altaf Hussian is being accused of. However, we never heard so much noise in Pakistan nor did we see so harsh words from the military establishment against the culprits like the one we witnessed against Altaf Hussain. Is this not discrimination? Does it not prove once again that MQM and Muhajirs are treated discriminately in Pakistan? 

Sadly speaking, the biggest disgrace to Pakistan Army after the fall of Dhaka, took place when Taliban kidnapped 23 FC personnel, cut their heads off and even played football with their heads. No doubt, that was an extremely disgusting incident and was not acceptable for all those Pakistanis who loved their army and country. But, we failed to see such a protest in Pakistan against the Taliban terrorists like we are seeing against Altaf Hussain.

Not speaking of condemning Taliban for their evil act, PML-N, JI, PTI and JUI-F called them “Our Pakistani Muslim brothers”. Munawwar Hassan and Moulana Fazal-ur-Rehamn did not hesitate even to declare them “Shaheed” (martyrs) in comparison to the Pakistani soldiers. In contrast to these, the strongest condemnation to TTP`s brutality came only from Altaf Hussain. MQM also held a mammoth rally to pay tribute to the Army men, clearly highlighted that actually who had true respect for Pakistan army and its soldiers.
It is a bitter truth that Bangladesh came into existence as a separate country from Pakistan as a result of the long-prevailing discrimination and the military operation launched against Bengalis instead of accepting their political mandate. More than 90,000 Pakistani officers and soldiers surrendered before the Indian army in 1971 when the people of East Pakistan started resisting against the injustice and the oppressions during the military operation. The fall of Dhaka and the military surrender are the darkest part of the history of Pakistan. However, the most disgusting aspect of that story that, in addition to the bloodshed in the name of crushing so-called traitors, was to the surrender of Pakistani army men before the Indian army.

Question is, when the Pakistani generals had really decided to go to that extent, why did they not put their weapons down before their own people of East Pakistan saying, “As the soldiers of an Islamic Army, we cannot even think of firing at our own Muslim brothers”. But, very unfortunately, they preferred surrendering not before their Benagli Muslims, but to their deadliest enemy forces of India. Such a step was, of course, not the reflection of a military strategy from of a professional army, but the indication of height of rivalry with the Bengalis Muslims. That was the real cause which eventually brought about the fall of Dhaka.    

Unfortunately, we are seeing the similar enmity, hatred and prejudice against MQM and the Urdu speaking community from the Pakistani political and military rulers. Ever since MQM came into being as a protest over the ethnically-motivated discrimination and the resulted victimization, it has been made the victim of the atrocities disgracing its political mandate. Over 20,000 workers and supporters of MQM have already been killed during the state-run operations in the disguise of “restoring peace” in the city.

Target killings of thousands of common people mainly MQM`s voters are in addition to this. Now, once again MQM is under attack by the establishment and all the old tactics of 90`s are being utilized again to crush it which are adding to the frustration in the people of Urban Sindh.

How strange was that, on one hand, the Sindh Rangers raided MQM`s head office (“90”) and arrested the people working there by blindfolding them with their shirts just like war criminals. On the other hand, when the Pakistani army men arrived at the under-attack PTV building in Islamabad, not speaking of arresting and blindfolding the culprits, they requested the attackers to leave the premises saying “Braaye meherbani building se bahir ajaayen. Army aagayie he” (Please come out of the premises as the Army has come in). Was that not the sheer discrimination?

Altaf Hussain`s speech, which itself was as a protest against calling MQM workers and supporters (RAW`s) Indian agents, was the reflection of the same aggravation gradually mounting in people due to the continuous oppressions from the state`s institution. However, despite having spoken the truth, Altaf Hussain`s apology is a “time allowed” to the military establishment to reconsider its policy with the message that MQM still wants to avoid the point of no-return. Therefore, Altaf Hussain`s message needs to be conceived and replied reciprocally with the same gesture. Otherwise, the on-going ill-treatment with a specific party and community will only badly dent the already weakening national unity in the country. The military establishment needs to accept this reality before it is too late.