Why a ban on MQM is not an option?

ISLAMABAD: Whether or not any serious thinking is being done by any official quarters that matter to outlaw the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) after Altaf Hussain’s extraordinary anti-Pakistan diatribe, there is universal disapproval of the idea at political and public level.

A common argument being advanced against clamping an extreme restriction is that the curb would be unproductive and inconsequential if the history is any guide. This is not misplaced or unjustified and merits acceptance by all circles that may be mulling over fielding out the MQM from the political arena.

The example of proscription of the National Awami Party (NAP) of Walis of Charsadda has been frequently cited to prove that any such decision about the MQM would be totally vain as the previous determination had turned out to be.

After the NAP was twice banned by General Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, it was revived under different names – National Democratic Party (NDP) and Awami National Party (ANP), which allowed the Walis to actively take part in politics like before. Thus, the proscription proved to be a joke and an exercise in futility because the Walis could not be ousted from the political ring.

What is noteworthy is that all the political parties have extended separate treatments to the MQM, finding it a legitimate party that needs to be allowed to function as a political party because it is willing to work as per the rules of game, and Altaf Hussain requires to be banned for good for his anti-Pakistan outburst.

In addition, the political parties have demanded of MQM Pakistan leader Dr Farooq Sattar to totally delink and dissociate his party from Altaf Hussain that he has done through due to tremendous pressure and is prepared to take further steps towards this direction.

But despite facing serious perils to his life he asserts and rightly so that the MQM Pakistan needs space to work smoothly and beseeches that the face value of his words should not be undermined and misinterpreted and his remarks should be taken in the same light and meaning that he intends to convey.

“Stop doubting our intention. If somebody is not clear, he should consult some Urdu linguist for an explanation of what we have said. Stop pushing us towards negative approach. We showed positivity and expect the same from the government,” well-meaning Farooq Sattar has stated and is fully poised to spurn any direction, decision or reaction by Altaf Hussain or the cabal surrounding him in the MQM London.

He has taken upon his shoulders huge responsibility of steering the MQM Pakistan out of the worst-ever crisis, created by the man who had founded and built it as a major political force worth the name. Through his long association with the party, spanning three decades, he has all along been defending even indefensible statements of Altaf Hussain. But he ran out of patience due to the August 22 tirade of the MQM founder.

Farooq Sattar picked up the courage to dare Altaf Hussain out of compulsion as he had no option but to confront him. As the pressure has kept piling upon him apace from different sides, he has tried to match this feverish attack by widening his distance from Altaf Hussain.

While leaders of a number of political parties attach importance and bearing to what
Farooq Sattar is saying and tend to believe him asserting that he has to prove his declarations, the leaders of the Pakistan Sarzameen Party (PSP) of Mustafa Kamal are the arch doubters, who are desperate to capitalize on the situation. The PSP has so far been a non-starter as it has failed to cause any huge upheaval in the MQM. Joining of Asif Husnain after his release from the Rangers’ custody after three-day detention gives a wrong message.

The argument that Farooq Sattar and his colleagues in the MQM are engaged in classic deception and deceit and will keep their loyalty with Altaf Hussain intact is untenable because if they want to do so even secretly, it will be not possible because they will be under constant strict watch of the state agencies for many years to come. The moment any solid evidence would emerge to show that they are still wired to Altaf Hussain, they will be in hot waters and no mercy would be shown to them.

From amongst a myriad of political parties, none has emerged as a taker or sympathizer of Altaf Hussain. This is obviously the biggest punishment for any politician. Everyone is agonized over his harangue against Pakistan and wants a severe punishment for him.

The federal government is clearly opposed to banning the MQM and wishes Farooq Sattar to sever all links, connections and relations with Altaf Hussain and also practically and demonstrably show that he has no truck whatsoever with the man, who works against Pakistan.

The federal policy was propounded by Information Minister Pervez Rashid when he opposed the idea of proscribing the MQM. “The experiment of banning political parties in the past was unsuccessful. Such experiments could not yield significant results; there is no need to repeat such mistake,” he rightly stated.

The Wali Khan faction of the NAP was formed after the 1967 split in the original NAP between Maulana Bhashani and Khan Wali Khan. The Wali Khan group was later named NAP after the separation of East Pakistan. The NAP was banned twice during its eight-year-long existence, the first time under Yahya Khan’s government in 1971 and the second time in 1975 by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s regime. It was then resurrected under the name of NDP, from which ANP was formed.