Altaf’s approach to damage MQM: Sethi

LAHORE: Speaking in Geo News programme “Aapas ki Baat”, Sethi quoted Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar who had said in his press talk that “the noose is tightening around his (Altaf) neck and he is feeling uncomfortable”. He said Nisar also clarified that all cases were being perused in the UK and nothing was happening in Pakistan. In explaining that, Sethi commented, Nisar played a bit innocent. Given the fact that Pakistan was helping the UK authorities, he said, Nisar should not claim that he was not doing anything. Sethi said that being frustrated, angered and depressed due to feeling pressed from both sides (Pakistan and UK), Altaf is not fully in control of his thought process which would damage MQM. The kind of language Altaf was using was resorted to by the Baloch insurgents. Only India could exploit Altaf’s statement, he said, adding that Altaf should control his temper.
Since there was a consensus on the objectives set by Pak Army and the nation that terrorism and extortion should come to an end in Karachi, the parties opposing these goals would lose, he added.
According to Sethi, “it’s over” for the current military leadership in the wake of Altaf’s statement. When army chiefs take part in politics then it’s kind of free for all, but when an army chief is apolitical then he acts in a clear-cut manner as is happening these days. Altaf should see how Zardari and PPP behaved eventually and the Sindh chief minister cooperated (with Rangers) with a heavy heart. Therefore, Sethi maintained, Altaf should not go that far and help authorities clean Karachi up.
On Pakistan’s contact with the UK over Altaf’s speeches, Sethi said it was a diplomatic move of little consequence. Such moves were meant to place things on record, he added.Sethi said the UK was in the know of many issues like money-laundering, and its own strategic interest was also involved; therefore, a “go

slow” was evident.
On PTI issues, Sethi said Hamid Khan, Justice Wajihuddin and Brig Simon Sharaf - the PTI’s CEC members - were pointing to the same group in the party. It was very unfortunate that Hamid and Justice Waji, who had raised the party through untiring efforts, were being neglected with the newcomers getting all the importance. Imran Khan, in his Sunday’s speech, justified the decision of making Jahangir Tareen as the party general secretary, he added.
According to the PTI, there is another Saifullah Niazi-led group in the party and currently supporting Tareen. This group enjoys the real power in the party due to finances. The infighting will continue and there would be more troubles when the nominations are made in Punjab.
Sethi said some of the allegations levelled against Tareen are baseless. There should be a group of seniors in the party to win back the annoyed people. Imran is right in saying that the dispute would only benefit the PML-N.
Hamid is disheartened by the fact that he and former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry had waged a jihad against Musharraf but his supporters are now in the party enjoying top slots. Tareen was so close of Musharraf that he had even considered making him the prime minister. Another figure Aleem Khan is also in the PTI.
Sethi said some people had even sought the PTI-Musharraf’s party merger. However, he added, the question who would lead the new entity became an issue, as Imran wanted Musharraf to join his party while Musharraf demanded the same from Imran.
According to Sethi, unfortunately, those giving more funds to the party become close aides to the leader and no one asks about the source and whether the income tax had been paid.
He said Maulana Fazlur Rehman would not change his stance over de-seating the PTI National Assembly members but the ruling PML-N was not going to accept his demand as it wanted see the PTI playing a role in the assembly. During the programme, He said the cricket team captain, coach and manager would explain the issue of not including Sarfraz Ahmed in the playing eleven for the two T20 matches against Sri Lanka.
Sethi said although the manager headed the tour selection committee, the captain and the coach had main role in selecting the final squad. Thus, the decision must have been made by Waqar Younas and Shahid Afridi who would certainly explain the logic, as the people were seeking explanation and the PCB chairman would also do the same, he added.