How Long Will Dr. Frooq Sattar & Co Remain In The Illusion?

Keeping in view the aggressive moves by the military establishment, the way Dr. Farooq Sattar & his colleagues disassociated themselves from their leader (Altaf Hussain) by presenting a resolution against him and also removing his name from the party`s manifesto, one nicely commented,

“It is common in Pakistan that a killer uses his position and powers to influence the family members of deceased either to take back or at least amend their stand against him. However, the way a political party (MQM-P) has been pressurized to take a u-turn, is a unique example in the history of Pakistan”

But, MQM (P)`s leaders deny any pressure or fear behind their decision on August 23. “It was our loyalty with Pakistan which required us to take such a bold step”, they clarified. 

Question is, if it was really so, then why did they forget to include the names of leaders from other political and religious parties who had uttered similar or worse words against the elected governments, parliament, judiciary, army and even the country? Are military takeovers not acts of high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution of Pakistan? Then, should the names of all military dictators (army chiefs and their aiders or facilitators) not also have been included in the resolution? Why did their “patriotism” remained limited only to Altaf Hussain?

In addition, if there was really no pressure on them, then what do Dr. Farooq Sattar`s these statements imply:

We chanted “Pakistan Zindabad” and also disassociated ourselves from MQM-London, yet we are not being accepted;

What else should we do to prove our loyalty with the country?

We are being required to “do more”.

These statements clearly indicate that it was not merely the matter of few “controversial” sentences/slogans in August 22^nd`s speech of Altaf Hussain. Rather, there was something more important than this. Further, there was definitely a “force” behind the curtains requiring MQM-P to act in a specific manner and direction. This is exactly what Dr. Farooq Sattar himself admitted while reacting over Kh. Izhar`s arrest. He said, 

“This arrest (of Kh. Izhar-ul-Hassan) proves that the real issue is not of the statements coming from London, but of the hatred with Muhajirs.”? 

In fact, while making the decision of parting ways with Altaf Hussain on August 23, Dr. Farooq Sattar completely ignored the fact that the Pakistani military establishment and political elites had never been interested in resolving the long-pending issues of Urdu speaking community. If not so, they would have already done that even in late 80`s or early 90`s (not for providing relief to the people, but) at least with the view to closing Altaf Hussain`s political chapter as the Muhajirs` Quaid. However, they preferred risking the integrity of the country by using force against the most patriotic community exclusively to wipe out MQM. This was actually what which led the situation to the point of “Murdabad”.

What was also overlooked on August 23, was the fact that military establishment would not ever let any MQM-P leaders (including Dr. Farooq Sattar, Kh. Izhar-ul-Hassan and Faisal Sabzwari) to be another Altaf Hussain to bodly raise voice over the pending issues and the injustice to Muhajirs. Because, if it does so, what would be the use of having made and applied minus-Altaf formula??

Considering these constraints, Dr. Farooq Sattar has been given very little room to play his political role. In such a scenario, how long will he survive in the Karachi`s politics especially when the badly victimized Muhajir community expects some crucial moves (a separate province/administrative unit, for example) to get rid of the long prevailing discrimination and the consequent victimization?

MQM (P) can be of the view that they would gain some time by working along with the establishment. However, they should keep this in their minds that the establishment will never like to see a strong MQM against them. Yes, it may be lenient enough for allowing them to operate only to the extent their rival parties and groups (PTI, JI, JUD, PPP etc) successfully take hold of the city. The result of PS-127 is the most pertinent example proving the same.

In addition, the establishment-sponsored PTI`s sit-in on November 2, can also fail the plan of gaining some time. Mustafa Kamal`s turning his guns towards the Governor Sindh may also be a part of preparation for a new set up after November 2. In such a scenario, what would be the position left of MQM-P in the politics? Can they expect to retain even a single seat in the next general elections without Altaf Hussain`s support?? Dr. Farooq Sattar & his colleagues themselves are fully aware of the answer of this question. That is why they have refused to resign despite Altaf Hussain`s video message. 

To tell the truth, Dr. Farooq Sattar has committed a blunder by having come under pressure of the military establishment. Consequently, he has become a sheep which has lost its way and is now at the mercy of the wolves around it. The humiliation of Kh. Izhar-ul-Hassan by SSP Rao Anwar and taunting comments from PPP`s leaders are sufficient to make him realize his real political weight without Altaf Hussain.

Now, the only option left for him is to tender resignations and seek apology from his leader Altaf Hussain. This is the only way out to avoid the disaster after his political suicide committed on August 23. Otherwise, SSP Rao Anwar has been restored to give some more breaking news to the media, while the political rials are already ready to make him “Dr. Chiri maar” and “Micky mouse”.