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.