Minus-one formula must to save MQM from ban

ISLAMABAD: Altaf Hussain’s diatribe against Pakistan on Monday last followed by an expected apology the following day and then within hours spitting more venom against the country, strengthens the case of much discussed minus-one formula for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

In his latest utterance, Altaf Hussain seriously reprimanded some MQM leaders for tweeting “Pakistan Zindabad” slogan besides seeking help from India, Israel, Afghanistan, Iran and America against Pakistan.

This is like waging a war against Pakistan. How could a person with such malice against Pakistan be allowed to continue as the head of a political party, is the challenge facing the MQM.

The MQM, which has already been facing different challenges because of what Altaf Husain does and speaks from London, is in a real fix now. It’s now not possible for the MQM local leaders to own and follow Altaf Hussain like before. No independent state can allow this either.

Recipe for what many have been aspiring — the minus-one formula — since long but never achieved before, even by the powerful muscles of the establishment, seems to have been delivered by Altaf Hussain himself.

In the past, there have been repeated efforts to damage and divide the MQM but it remained the most popular political party in Karachi because of one man — Altaf Hussain. Today, with the twist of fate, Altaf Hussain has become a burden and a liability for the MQM.

Within 24 hours of his intolerable speech against Pakistan, the MQM’s second tier leadership — the party’s MPs — under Farooq Sattar distanced the MQM from Altaf Hussain.

For some it was an Altaf-backed damage control strategy of the MQM to get the party out of the present trouble. Others see it as a subtle revolt against Altaf Hussain as Farooq Sattar’s message was clear — stay away from the MQM Pakistan. It is, however, certain that Altaf Hussain’s absurd anti-state utterance has created a rift between the MQM Pakistan and the party’s London chapter.

Farooq Sattar on Wednesday reiterated that the MQM Pakistan will take its own decisions, adding that the London Secretariat has endorsed what the will of the Pakistani leadership of Muttahida was. Farooq Sattar has assured that Altaf Hussain will not be allowed to make any absurd statement from the forum of MQM Pakistan.

It is unusual and a rarity that the local political face of the MQM has distanced itself from London — Altaf Hussain. The Pakistani MQM leadership appears to be adopting the policy of soft implementation of minus-one formula because with Altaf Hussain calling the shots would mean inviting a ban on the MQM.

Talking to Geo News on Wednesday night, Farooq Sattar requested the media as well as his political opponents to give the “MQM Pakistan” some space so that it could do what it had committed. The commitment is no more nonsense of Altaf Hussain from the MQM Pakistan platform.