DUBAI: Three momentous events, unrelated but very relevant to the current situation, took place on Wednesday that will go a long way in shaping the country’s politics and destiny. And one development in London may increase problems for the MQM as well. The PTI hat-trick of NA seats was one but it had an immediate impact on ruling PML-N which changed course and decided to abandon the judicial path and go to the people to contest all lost seats. Going back to the people is what Imran Khan has been demanding and it strengthens his case. The second important moment was the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain, the closest associate of Asif Ali Zardari who was used for every big deal, sometimes as petroleum minister, as an adviser, as chief of PMDC and even as head of the Higher Education Commission. Dr Asim had hosted Zardari in his hospitals for years, providing him with 5-star facilities during his jail time and that brought him so close to Zardari that his previous love affair with MQM faded into history, though at times he was almost the unanimous candidate for the governorship of Sindh. Then he became a guard and provider for the Zardari kids, looking after Bilawal in London and almost replacing Mr Rehman Malik as the chief London contact for the Benazir-Zardari family. In the process, Dr Asim was accused of amassing wealth beyond his means and it is those days of free loading that have now come back to haunt him. His arrest marks an important stepping up of the Karachi operation and follow-up of the links between terrorism and economic terrorism, corruption and criminal gangs and mafias. The arrest also means that the next phase of the operation has begun in which high profile accused, no matter of which party or group, will now be nabbed and held accountable. Dr Asim is probably the 3rd most important member of the Asif Ali Zardari’s group of friends, relatives and front men. Only adhi Faryal Talpur and Mr Zardari himself would be higher in rank. So if the most important person after the ex-president and his sister can be arrested, others down in the list will have to run for cover or face the law. The arrest of Dr Asim is also a blow to the present MQM campaign against the Karachi operation. MQM’s main argument that the operation was only targeting that party and was aimed at Mohajirs of Karachi is now neutralized. If the closest Zardari associate can be nabbed and NAB opens cases against the sitting PML-N leaders as in the CNG case, MQM has no legs to stand on. The arrest of Dr Asim came only a day after General Raheel Shareef expressed firm resolve in Karachi that links between terrorists and corruption money will be broken and taken to the logical end. The journey towards that end has now started with Dr Asim’s arrest. The 3rd shocking news came from Karachi where the Sindh chief secretary sought, and got, a bail before arrest. If the top most bureaucrat of province feels so insecure and scared that he may be nabbed under any corruption charge, the state of administrative affairs in the province must have come to a virtual standstill. Which bureaucrat will now take any decision that could even remotely be controversial or against the larger public interest. The province, it must be said, is now in a state of suspension. To top this state of fear, there are reports that all federal anti-corruption agencies in Sindh have now been brought under one roof and will conduct joint investigations so that any federal or political intervention can be avoided or rejected. Another major event took place not in Pakistan but in London where in the money laundering case against Mr Altaf Hussain one of the accused broke ranks with MQM and now wants a fast-track trial or decision. Mr Sarfraz Merchant’s plea will add immense pressure on the MQM chief, as Mr Merchant now appears to be desperate and probably wants to spill the beans. With the MQM in a state of severe depression inside Pakistan after its hurried decision to resign from the assemblies, the sword of an early trial or may be conviction against Mr Altaf Hussain in London has now brought more urgency and more agony for the beleaguered party. The MQM has now to decide quickly what route its politics will take as well as understand that Mr Hussain’s replacement and successor has to be found sooner than later. It may not be possible for Mr Hussain to lead and control the party if he is convicted or jailed in London. All this only means that the establishment has addressed criticism and accusations that the Karachi operation was not across the board. It has also ensured that no government or political pressures will be accepted. This will only enhance the credibility of the operation and give positive and quick results. The only lingering objection that remains is that the process of trials, collection of evidence and convictions is pathetically slow. General Raheel has addressed that point by asking for more military courts but all cases will not be handled by the army. The civilian criminal justice system must also be pushed to step up and perform as the present situation demands.
