Why did MQM put its governor in the line of fire?

The MQM has lost another good face — Dr Ishratul Ibad — whom the powerful putting Rabita Committee asked to step down for failing to protect the party interest in the Karachi targeted action. The decision has put Ibad — the longest serving governor of Sindh — in a most difficult situation. Irrespective of charges against him, why the MQM leadership humiliated him? Is there something more than the “charge-sheet”? Why a more respectable way of exit was not adopted? Has he to choose between the party and the Establishment now?
Morally, he cannot stay as governor since he is holding this position because the MQM had nominated him in 2002, but practically he can land in trouble if he quits. Does the party also want to punish him?
The MQM has certainly put one of its best faces in a tight corner after the former City Nazim Mustafa Kamal. Practically, he is in the line of fire. During his 12-year term, Ibad enjoyed good reputation in the eyes of political circles and the Establishment.
So, what led to this situation that he suddenly lost the confidence of Altaf Hussain within 48 hours after his last conversation with him?“I will consult with my close friends and then decide,” was his immediate answer when this reporter contacted him by phone.
“Whatever I did during my tenure was in the interest of Sindh and Pakistan. When I last contacted Altaf Bhai a few days back, he never mentioned anything about this demand, which surprised me,” Dr Ibad said.
Keeping the political dynamics of Sindh and its urban centers in the light of Karachi targeted action, the decision about the new governor or retaining Dr Ibad will be taken by the prime minister in consultation with the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Corps Commander Karachi, Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar and Director General ISI, Lt. Gen. Rizwan Akhtar in the light of current Karachi situation and possible phase-11 of the operation.
This development has come at a time when Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan has hinted at a major breakthrough in the case of Dr Imran Farooq murder case. There are some more serious investigations which will mature in the next 10 to 15 days.But after the MQM charge-sheet, the party now intends to play the role of a more aggressive opposition not only to the Sindh government, but also to the federal government.
Altaf Hussain has already asked the party workers to get ready for a difficult time ahead. What does it mean? A political movement, if so, against whom? Is the MQM planning a “Karachi province” movement? If so, where will it lead to and is the party ready for the consequences?
Dr Ibad remained one of the most powerful governors under former president General (R) Pervez Musharraf. Under 2002 MQM-Musharraf deal, the governor was given administrative powers to look after the interest of Karachi and Hyderabad. The other point related to disbanding its rival MQM (H). Later, the MQM lent all its support to Musharraf during his full tenure.
After 2008, the governor’s powers were reduced and he did not enjoy the kind of powers he got under Musharraf. Yet, he continued to play the role of a bridge between the MQM and the PPP on the one hand and between the MQM and the Establishment on the other.
However, Dr Ibad played an important role in keeping the MQM-PPP relationship intact particularly at a time when former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza launched a massive operation against the MQM.
He even wanted that Dr Ibad be removed as governor and arrested but former president Asif Zardari rejected his plea. Later, when the situation went out of control, Mirza lost his ministry due to Dr Ibad’s move to save the coalition.
But, personalities hardly matters in the MQM except Altaf Hussain, which is true to some extent. However, the manner in which some of well-respected party leaders quit the party or were sidelined in the last two years has intensified organizational crisis within the MQM.
So, what role Dr Ibad had played in protecting the MQM interest since the launch of “Karachi Targeted Action.” Was he in a position to stop Rangers or police from the crackdown on MQM workers or alleged criminals?
In the light of firm position taken by the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Director General ISI Lt. Gen. Rizwan Akhtar, Corps Commander Karachi, Lt. Gen Naveed Mukhtar and DG Rangers Major General Bilal about “how to handle Karachi”, what Dr Ibad could do? In a situation where even the captain of the operation, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, can’t interfere, expecting something from the governor is perhaps asking too much.
At the same time, the MQM too has a point. What is the need of having its man as “rubber stamp.” But, what the governor could do if the MQM’s own leadership could not pursue party chief not to make “harsh statements”, which often put the party in trouble, particularly some of his remarks.
Dr Ibad has lot to say in his defense against the “charge-sheet.” Will he come out with any statement? It is difficult to say as long as he is holding this position. The MQM perhaps should have avoided the “charge-sheet” and simply asked him to quit. The Rabita Committee should have sent a letter to the prime minister or president asking them to replace the governor. It could have saved its man, if nothing else from humiliation. After all, he has not brought a bad name to the party and was duly rewarded. But, if the purpose was to humiliate him and punish him, then the MQM certainly has scored a point.
Dr Ibad is presently facing a dilemma. He is in a fix, to quit or not to quit. In case he quits at a time when the party is facing one of the toughest operations, he too can face inquiries as he would lose immunity provided to the governor under the Constitution.
His security concern is also there and would be more vulnerable once he is out from the highly secure Governor House. But, then where will he stand if after a while the federal government decided to replace him?
At present, it may not be very easy for him to resign and go back to 90, particularly after a big “charge-sheet” against him. He also cannot go abroad after resignation. Perhaps, he may not be allowed unless the Establishment itself decides to give him the safe exit.
On the other hand, if he decided to stay, the burden will be on the federal government about his fate. If they removed him and replaced with some PML-N leader or retired army officer, Dr Ibad would find himself in the most difficult position of his life.
It appears that the MQM wants to test Dr Ibad whether he is on its side or with the Establishment.He has always been considered as a “bridge” and in the last 12 years has brought the MQM out of crises particularly at a time when Dr Zulfiqar Mirza had launched an operation against the MQM. It was Dr Ibad, who succeeded in pursuing former president Asif Ali Zardari to remove Mirza if he wanted to restore peace in Karachi.
But, the MQM circles believe that Dr Ibad failed in protecting the party’s interest in the last one year. Dr Ibad thinks otherwise and believes that the operation could have been far more aggressive had he not been there.
The MQM through the present move also wants to test the Establishment. If it backs Dr Ibad, the questions could be raised about the pending investigation in which he has been named after the “Karachi targeted Action.”
If it supported the move to replace him, Dr Ibad will be left with little option but to put himself at the mercy of the Establishment to seek a safe exit. So, Dr Ibad is facing a serious dilemma in both the case whether to quit or not. But, there is a liking for him within the top Establishment. They may like him to continue provided he cooperates with them.
All in all, it is a no-win situation for Dr Ibad. But, does he deserve all this? After all, he has served as governor for 12 years and played the role of a “bridge” between Islamabad, Pindi and 90.
The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of GEO, The News and Jang.