No political revival of Nine-Zero

Nine-Zero, Azizabad, which was once considered as the heart of political activities of undivided Muhajir or Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) since 1978, has now been declared a prohibited venue for any kind of political activities, and there seem no signs of its revival.

The decision has been taken at the highest level, and the Sindh government will seek an advice from the federal government over the status of MQM-London, following a 'confidential report’ about its alleged anti-state activities.

The prohibited venue also covered its adjacent offices or areas like Khursheed Memorial Hall, MPAs Hostel, Jinnah Ground, Shuhada Graveyard and some other houses in the area, which the authorities suspects had been used as shelter houses for suspects.

Thus, for all practical purposes, no political activity would be allowed at the venue until and unless the final status of the Nine-Zero and other related offices is decided. While the MQM-Pakistan and MQM-London both claim the ownership of these offices, particularly Nine-Zero, and Khursheed Memorial Hall, they have not taken the matter to the court nor have formally contacted the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

A senior official of the Sindh government, when contacted, hinted at an unofficial ban on the MQM-London, but said these places had been declared a prohibited area for all kinds of political activities in view of fear of a clash between the two factions.

What led to this ban and what will be the ultimate fate of MQM's political activities, particularly which relate to the MQM-London, is not clear yet. "Yes, in view of the reports of their anti-state activities and links, the authorities have recommended restriction on all kinds of activities of MQM-London," an official source said.

"We are against imposing a ban on any political party or freedom of speech, but if there are enough evidence for anyone anti-state activities, the federal government must approach the Supreme Court and file a reference,” he added.

Known as the 'Markaz' of Muhajir politics, the 120-yard house for three decades became the symbol of Muhajir unity, though it was the residence of MQM founder, Altaf Hussain, who had been living in self-exile in London, since January 1992, and never returned. Later, he also opted for the British nationality.

The Nine-Zero continued to dominant politics of urban Sindh, and in the last 30 years, this place had been visited by almost all top leaders, whether they belong to the ruling party or the opposition, the last such visit was that of former president Asif Ali Zardari.

The change came for the first time after 2013 elections when neither any PPP leader or the PML-N leader visited Nine-Zero, which not only made the MQM exile leader frustrated but it was the beginning of what likely to come in the coming months. Despite some efforts from the PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, and MQM leader Babar Ghauri, Nawaz Sharif refused to visit Nine-Zero, or had any telephonic conversation with Altaf Hussain.

When in September 2013, Karachi targeted operation was launched, the MQM supported it and even demanded an army operation. Perhaps, it misread the operation as well as the political situation on ground. In the previous two operations and also during Governor's Rule, the Nine-Zero was hardly raided.

When the Rangers raided Khursheed Memorial Hall and some other houses, arrested some alleged militants and suspects and recovered arms, then it became clear that the
operation this time would be different. The worst for the MQM came when Altaf Hussain's hard-hitting speech, in which he not only criticised the operation but also hit at the military establishment, proved fatal for his politics. This led to a ban on his speeches, statement and it came as a result of the court order.

The first setback for him came when some of the MQM good faces, who had left the party after 2013 elections, announced a new party, Pak-Sarzameen Party (PSP), and headed by former city nazim, Mustafa Kamal, attacked Altaf Hussain and his politics.

During all this period, cases against Altaf Hussain and his alleged links with RAW made headlines in the media, along with other actions the MQM survived and won by-elections and also local government elections.

Their last united celebration at Nine-Zero took place when MQM fielded candidates for local governments. In order to get their demands fulfilled regarding powers to the local governments, they staged a hunger strike.

August 22 turned as the last nail in the coffin of the united MQM, when its leader, during his telephonic address, raises anti-state slogans, followed by an attack on some media outlets. This led to a major split in the party and the MQM Rabita Committee Pakistan distanced itself from his speech, which ultimately divided the party.

Although, there is legal hitch in this unofficial ban, it came as a result of a confidential report about the late night activities, particularly at Khursheed Memorial Hall, prior to the first major raid last year, during which huge arms and ammunition were recovered along with many documents, which allegedly contained details of its militant activities, bhatta collection etc. Some wanted suspects had also been arrested from there and nearby houses.

These documents, which the MQM had rejected, carried data of MQM sectors and units and the task assigned to them. Copies of some of these documents available with this writer also revealed details of arms and ammunition. But, all this subject to legal course or may be used as part of evidence in case the federal government decides to file any reference.

The Sindh government, on its part, has taken the position that while it supports any move to restrict activities of any party, if proven that it works against Pakistan's national interest, but without any legal discourse it may find difficult to prevent such political activities like the one witnessed two weeks back at MQM Shuhada's graveyard near Jinnah Ground.

Former DG Rangers and now Chief of General Staff Lt-General Bilal Akbar, during his tenure had warned the MQM leaders and asked them to shut down their post mid-night activities.

However, in pre-August 22 MQM, their leaders took the position that since they had overseas wings and Altaf Hussain himself is in London, they had to keep their offices open after midnight.

Gen Bilal, in one of its presentation before the apex committee and also before the military high command, had also given details of MQM-London, alleged links with Indian RAW and also training of its alleged militants in India and also in Balochistan, along with separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Recent changes in the army made by General Qamar Javed Bajwa clearly signify the importance of Karachi. Corps Commander Karachi Lt-General Naveed Mukhtar has now been posted as all important position, Director General ISI, while Lt-General Bilal Akbar has been promoted as Chief of General Staff.

Gen Bilal, in particular, had targeted MQM's alleged militant wing along with Lyari gang-war and outlawed groups. But it has been believed that while the political causes in the formation of MQM had its own dynamics and their basic demands need to be addressed, it is the other side of the party and London, which led to the major crackdown.

While 2017 is the year of election campaign and massive political activities, the place which once dominated the urban Sindh politics and run the show from a 120-square-yard house called Nine-Zero and Jinnah Ground as venue for all its activities be banned as all those who consider it as their Markaz now stand divided.

  The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang. Twitter: @MazharAbbasGEO