Has Dr Asim quit or been sacked?

Was the decision to relieve Dr Asim Hussain as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Karachi president the first major sign of differences between Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his father, party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. His appointment was as surprising as was his removal, and that too at a time when the former president had given him a special task for Karachi.

Zardari, who is looking for major success in Sindh, both rural and urban in the next general elections, in a bid to raise his bargaining position in case of split mandate, received a setback with the decision.

Asim, who is facing serious charges of corruption and terror financing, is on bail after 19-month prison and now going abroad for medical treatment after his name was removed from the exit control list (ECL). After he was relieved as PPP Karachi president, on disappointing note, he may stay a bid longer than earlier schedule. He did express his strong dissent in the manner in which he was removed on issues other than political or performance based.

An unimpeachable source in the party disclosed that Zardari told Asim that it was not his decision and advised Asim to keep his cool and not to speak much on the issue. Asim assured him that he would continue to support him in different ways, but was disappointed the way his meeting with MQM-Pakistan leader Dr Farooq Sattar was criticised and explanation was called and that too by Faryal Talpur, who has no position to seek such explanation.

Dr Asim Hussain was so annoyed that he wanted to issue a strong statement, but was asked not to do so and let the dust settle down. There were also differences over spending of seven billion rupees in Karachi on different projects and Dr Asim had opposed interference in his projects, while the other party leaders feared that they would be deprived in their constituencies.

The task assigned to Asim by Zardari included 'win over MQM' men and the recent meeting of some MQM MNAs were part of those efforts. He also asked the former president that the PPP Karachi division could perform better in Karachi if the party's political dimension in the city changes to winning over Urdu-speaking and thus suggested names for the future elections.

On the other hand, the PPP leaders believe that Asim was not only going too fast but in the process also ignored some basic

decisions which party had taken on local bodies and handling of groups like MQM. One of the central leaders said: “Dr Asim met Dr Farooq Sattar despite being told not to meet. Thus, he violated party guidelines, and his office also circulated news of the meeting, which was contrary to the party policy.”

Asim, considered as Zardari’s right-hand man and among the most trusted, was made president of PPP Karachi division after he complained to the former president that the party leaders had dumped him and no one visited him in prison, court or in hospital except for a few.

Zardari took serious notice and issued instruction to Sindh chief minister, ministers and party leaders to ensure their presence and also asked them to visit him.

When Dr Asim was appointed PPP Karachi division president, his name was not even among the three nominees for the post, when Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held an intra-party consultation.

During the course, secret ballot process was also followed. In this, the name of Saeed Ghani and Waqar Mehdi also figured, but prior to the final announcement, Dr Asim’s name was announced to the utter surprise of the party.

Earlier, Zardari in 2015, also complained party central leadership of not issuing statements in condemnation of Asim’s arrest. Central party leader, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, whom Zardari appreciated for issuing the statement, but Ahsan told him that he had only condemned registration of Anti-Terrorism case against him and not the allegations against corruption.

PPP leaders, led by Saeed Ghani, who is also the PPP Karachi division secretary general, and took the risk of resigning as senator and contested a provincial assembly seat from PS-114. Considered as a sharp and cool leader, he was not happy over Dr Asim’s meeting with Farooq Sattar, particularly at a time when MQM-Pakistan having problems with Pak-Sarzameen Party (PSP), and their infighting can create space for the PPP.

Saeed, who won PS-114 with a reasonable margin against MQM, Kamran Tissorui is confident that the PPP would perform much better in the next elections from Karachi and aimed at six to eight NA seats and over 10 PS seats.

Sources said Saeed had taken Bilawal Bhutto and Faryal Talpur into confidence that if the PPP did not make any major political error, it could sweep elections in at least three districts of Karachi including South, Malir and West.

Bilawal Bhutto finally got convinced and asked Asim to step down and go abroad for medical check-up.

He even praised Asim’s sacrifices and role he played for the party. But, on Saturday, Dr Asim said, “He had not resigned or sent any resignation to the party. If he has been removed, then those who have removed him would know it better,” he said. PPP-led Sindh government had launched major developments projects in Karachi worth billions of rupees, which include new roads, repair of many roads, bridges, flyovers and underpasses.

At a time when the MQM, which is down and divided, and other parties like PTI or JI, not as active as they were in the past, the PPP is quite optimistic.

The recent revival of MMA, which in 2002 won six sears can upset the PPP’s desire or optimism would be interesting to watch, but the decision to remove Dr Asim Hussain seems the beginning of increasing influence of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto in running the party independently, along with Faryal Talpur.

Saeed Ghani, an energetic PPP leader, along with the local PPP leaders, now has a challenge to get party historic win in Karachi, failing which would strengthen Dr Asim’s vision of first bridging the gap and winning over hearts of Karachi, through political and economic changes in this mega city of over 20 million.

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

Twitter: @MazharAbbasGEO.