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Thursday March 28, 2024

Significance of Nisar’s visit to Karachi

By Mazhar Abbas
May 01, 2017

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan rarely stayed more than a day in Karachi, even at a time when he had good relations with Sindh government.

This time, his visit was not merely for administrative but political reasons, as well. During full two days, he also explored the possibilities of grand anti-PPP alliance in Sindh, both rural and urban.

In the backdrop of growing tension between Sindh and Centre, the minister avoided his meeting with chief minister, for political reasons. Sources said prior to the visit, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did ask him whether he would meet the CM, Syed Murad Ali Shah, or not.

Sources said initially he wanted to resolve the pending issues like IGP and Ranger's extension. But, after getting reports that the chief minister was leading the campaign and even raised slogan, 'Go Nawaz go’, he changed his mind. However, he held an important meeting with the officials of 'civil armed forces’, in relation to the difficulties in the Karachi operation.

Sindh's relationship with Centre has been tense over multiple issues, from the IGP A D Khwaja's controversy to the disappearance of three associates of former president Asif Ali Zardari, whose whereabouts are still unknown, though some clue had been found. Sources said one of the three was likely to return home, may be next week.

Though the Sindh government and the PPP leadership blamed the federal government and interior minister for their disappearance, they too knew it well who had taken them and why.

On the other hand, Centre has also blamed the Sindh government for damaging Karachi operation, and practically brought it to standstill, first through delaying the extension in Ranger's powers under ATA and then making the IGP dysfunctional.

The federal government believes that such actions demoralise law-enforcement agencies. Therefore, Ch Nisar decided to recommend to the prime minister to summon the meeting of the apex committee in Karachi, in which the army chief, intelligence chiefs and Sindh government should sit and sort out issues. 

Nisar spent a day with all those concerned in handling Karachi operation, except for the Sindh chief minister. The purpose of his visit was also linked with the changing political scenario and the role of PML-N in Sindh to explore the possibility of an anti-PPP alliance.

The PML-N is facing a daunting task to win over Sindh including Karachi. In the last four years, not only the party itself is in complete disarray, but its old allies like Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), and powerful groups like Shirazis, Jatois and others have also weakened.

Ch Nisar is also exploring the possibility of joining hands with Sindhi nationalists and reviving its relationship with Mumtaz Ali Bhutto. The party leadership, in the coming weeks and months, would also be meeting with someone like Ayaz Palejo.

Its strongest ally in rural Sindh has always been the PML-F. After the death of senior Pir Pagaro, the young Pir Pagro has not been as active as the veteran leader, who had the capacity of forming grand alliance of anti PPP forces.

The PML-N is fast losing friends in Sindh. Several of its own party leaders like Syed Ghous Ali Shah, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Liaquat Jatoi, Ismail Rao and others had either joined the PPP or the PTI. Its ally, PML-F, also finding difficulties in retaining its past position. With the departure of leaders like Imtiaz Sheikh, Jam Madad Ali and others, PML-F for the first time lost by-election in its strong hold Sanghar.

In urban Sindh, with a split in Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and civil and military leadership have decided not to give any political space to the MQM-London: the choice before the PML-N is between MQM-P and PSP. While the PTI-JI alliance in Karachi and Hyderabad could not be ruled out, the PPP will make seat adjustments.

Ch Nisar will discuss the political developments with the prime minister and possibilities of alliances in Sindh, in the light of his visit, the PM, will meet PML-F and its old allies during his next visit to Sindh including Karachi.

Ch Nisar's visit was important because he has been under heavy criticism from the PPP and Sindh government as sources said, former President, Asif Ali Zardari and some senior PPP leaders believe that the action against some of the cronies of the PPP Co-chairman has a lot to do with interior minister's initiative.

Sources said Ch Nisar himself believes that he has played the role of 'devil's advocate' before the agencies concerned when they picked Dr Asim Hussain and was the first one who had issued the statement against the manner in which he was arrested.

A well informed source also disclosed that Ch Nisar has also taken up the matter of disappearance with the premier intelligence agencies and apparently, disappointed over the mishandling of such issues. 

Earlier, he was annoyed over Rangers and then the FIA's raid on Sindh Building Control Authority, during which they took over 16,000 plot files, which later been handed over to NAB, but till day no further action had been taken and there is lot mystery revolved about those files.

Sources said some clue had now been found about the three close associates of Mr Zardari, who are missing for the last few weeks. They are said to be in the custody of one of the premier intelligence agency and facing questioning regarding for president's financial transactions.

While the decision has been taken at the highest level that under no circumstance the MQM-London would be allowed any role in any form in the next elections and such instructions have been communicated at all levels, the PML-N wants to see which faction of splinter group among the MQM and the PSP could be its effective ally with majority party leaders see MQM-P as a better option but some want to see PSP's show of strength, too.

Ch Nisar's visit has also coincided with PTI Chairman Imran Khan's two-day visit from Sunday. Imran also rarely spent more than one day in Karachi, but, he has been advised that PTI has the following her and could surprise key stakeholders.

All depends on the final outcome of Panama and other matters in Islamabad, but the PML-N now looks serious to cause some differences in the PPP and the MQM strong constituencies. Can they do it in apparently a belated attempt?

 The writer is a senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang

Twitter: @MazharAbbasGEO