MQM’s soft revolt against Altaf has taken place

ISLAMABAD: Farooq Sattar-led MQM Pakistan is all for minus one formula but does not want a maddening rush to formally oust Altaf Hussain from the party that he founded.

MQM sources said that soft revolt against Altaf Hussain has taken place and now “MQM Pakistan” for all practical purposes is a new party, which has the support of almost all Muttahida MPs and its political face.

Background interaction with senior Pakistan-based MQM leadership shows that following his diatribe against Pakistan, Altaf Hussain has lost his grip on the MQM and now there is a chance of Altaf Hussain announcing the removal of Farooq Sattar and others from their party positions.

The MQM Pakistan has already discussed this position scenario and decided that Farooq Sattar and other leaders will not accept Altaf Hussain’s any such decision. “It will be a critical point but we have decided to stay firm in our stance,” a key MQM leader said.

For most of the MQM local leaders Altaf Hussain is a burden and thus must be shed for the interest of the party. But, it is argued that any rush in doing so may backfire and create sympathy for Altaf Hussain.

“Media wants to see things in black and white but Farooq Sattar has to operate in grey area to get rid of Altaf Hussain,” a MQM Senator confided to this correspondent on condition of not being named. He said that Farooq Sattar needs some space to successfully transform the MQM into a political entity which will be far different from the one known under Altaf Hussain.

MQM under Farooq Sattar is eager for support from establishment for successful transformation of the Muttahida into a violence-free law abiding political entity.

It is said that Altaf Hussain’s sloganeering against Pakistan had shocked and disappointed both the MQM leaders and its workers. Most of the MQM Pakistan leadership will not have any problem if Altaf Hussain is booked under sedition charges or tried under Article 6 of the constitution.

“I doubt there is any party MNA, Senator or MPA, who will agree to what Altaf Hussain has done,” the MQM source said, workers are also very disappointed. It is said that there may be a very small number of MQM workers who would perhaps still have an obsession for AH, however, the vast majority has been really disenchanted with Altaf’s recent utterances.

Regarding the future of Altaf Hussain, key MQM leaders even admit that the MQM Pakistan has revolted against Altaf. "Just listen to him (Farooq Sattar) what he clearly says and suggests," a party source said, adding there is a clear message from the MQM Pakistan that it has technically ousted Altaf but now wants some space for a smooth change.

The organizational structure of the MQM is also being reviewed to run the party according to the wishes of Muttahida’s Pakistani leadership. A senior legal mind in the MQM said that legally Farooq Sattar's position as party leader is sound as he is registered as such with the Election Commission of Pakistan. Sources in the Election Commission when approached also confirmed that legally speaking Farooq Sattar is the head of MQM Pakistan and thus removing him by Altaf Hussain may not be a legal option.