Karachi mayor’s performance to benefit MQM Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The grant of bail to Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar in all 39 criminal cases has served as a morale-booster for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan but is not good news for its beleaguered London chapter.

The fury of the London branch was well articulated by its UK-based Convener Nadeem Nusrat when he also placed Waseem Akhtar in the list of party figures who have committed “treason” by disowning founder Altaf Hussain after his August 22 incendiary speech in which he had chanted slogans against Pakistan.

Waseem Akhtar’s freedom took some four months to materialize. However, his bail pleas were accepted in one case after the other at a fast track with the pace being somewhat akin to lodging of 39 criminal charges against him.

His deputy Arshad Vohra is also listed in the ‘treacherous’ elements with Dr Farooq Sattar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, Faisal Subzwari and some others. In Nadeem Nusrat’s view, the midwifing of the MQM Pakistan was part of the “minus-Altaf Hussain formula” which had been aided from inside the party and is an attempt to hijack it to keep intact a luxury lifestyle instead of standing up to authorities and rendering sacrifices.

Whatever the London section, comprising a handful of key figures, holding dual nationalities and having no plan to return to Pakistan, says and asserts is irrelevant and inconsequential for the MQM Pakistan, which has totally severed all of its links with it. This lot has apparently burnt its boats as far as Pakistan is concerned for remaining staunch follower of Altaf Hussain’s dogma and preaching. With the passage of time, the MQM Pakistan’s confidence has grown to a great extent although it is still not absolutely out of the woods.

Four months’ incarceration may have provided the mayor sufficient time for introspection and reflection particularly keeping in view the changed situation specifically radical developments in his MQM. He has been made to understand the new scenario by Farooq Sattar and others, and is willing to work, restricting himself to the rules of the game so that he is not gripped by further troubles. He agreed, and has quickly changed. There was no other option for him. As he has assumed office of the mayor, the mandate of the people of Karachi stands respected.

From the exuberance that Waseem Akhtar is showing after his release demonstrates that he means business and is in a hurry to do something worthwhile for the Karachiites. He will naturally direly need the cooperation of the Sindh government without which he will not be able to deliver. The provincial government has a key role in making local councils meaningful and effective. He has started seeking its assistance. He wants a free hand.

However, the mayor is confronted with a variety of challenges from different sides. The MQM London chapter will continue to hammer him and so will do Mustafa Kamal-led Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), which has of late greatly gone in the background after its failure to make itself a substitute for the MQM. Topping all will be a myriad of problems that the mega city is faced with. His voters have attached a lot of expectations to him.

His performance will be naturally helpful for the MQM Pakistan. If he delivers it will reap the benefits, and if he fails it will suffer. The biggest challenge for his party is to make a place in Karachi and Hyderabad, marginalizing Altaf Hussain further and even when the party founder is opposing him tooth and nail. Although the London chapter has no organizational structure in Pakistan to represent it in Karachi and Hyderabad and its other areas of influence, it continues to be a threat to the MQM Pakistan. However, it is beyond doubt that the UK branch will not be allowed to work in Pakistan.