The Sindh Rangers’ disclosure that they would release a fact-sheet on March 11 raid at the MQM headquarters— Nine Zero — in a day or two has added to the rising tension between the two, indicating that the establishment is preparing a “case” against the MQM. On the one hand, efforts are underway to defuse tension between the Sindh government and the establishment, on the other things are getting more tense between the Rangers and the MQM. It seems the Sindh government wants to ease tension over extension of additional powers given to Rangers and may increase it to three months after getting a clear signal that the operation would not be halted “come what may.” It also means no major change in the approach, as some startling details have already been collected about some PPP ministers and leaders. The news leak through the Rangers sources saying that a complete fact-sheet of March 11 raid would be released means there will be something more to be released than the one stated by Rangers soon after March 11 raid. The news was released in response to the MQM’s statement about the alleged torture of its workers detained for 90 days. It accused that many of them were chained and being kept in inhuman conditions. So, what the fact-sheet will possibly contain other than that already revealed during the raid at Khursheed Memorial Hall, an office of MQM, near Nine Zero. This reporter came to know that the Rangers were preparing a whole case against the MQM’s militancy on the basis of alleged record they had seized during the raid, comprising documents, material, weapons and details of verification of licence, purchase of some of weapons allegedly used by the Nato forces. Details may also include MQM’s alleged 124 suspects arrested from there, release of most of them and formal arrest of accused declared in the category of “Black” meaning most harden criminals. The Rangers may also reveal details of arms licenses produced by the MQM and their present status. However, the Rangers are seeking directives from the Interior Ministry and the army about the release of fact-sheet. If the federal government and the army gave the green light the situation could be quite explosive. Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan has stated that the government has no intention to penalize the MQM as a party but will not spare anyone involved in criminal activities.So, one has to wait and see what kind of fact-sheet would be released, but leaking the news through sources also indicates that they would wait for clearance. Now what can be the possible reaction of the MQM after the release of Ranger’s claim? The party had questioned the recovery of weapons from Khursheed Memorial Hall and arrest of people. The MQM has taken position that whoever had been arrested and whatever had been recovered on March 11 must be produced before the court of law. Since its inception in 1984, the MQM has been facing the accusation of using militancy as means to promote its political ideology. During the process, it faced three major operations by the army, the police and the ongoing targeted action by the Rangers. First, what have been the major allegations against the MQM from the establishment, government and its opponents? (1) It has a militant wing (2) involved in extortion (3) involved in target killings (4) involved in china-cutting and land grabbing, (5) getting funding from India and its militants were trained in India. The MQM’s response to these allegations: (1) It supported all operations on the assurance that these would be across the board, but it became its prime target, (2) It has no militant wing and never opposed action against any criminal, if such people were arrested and put on trial, (3) It had expelled hundreds of its workers on getting complaints of extortion, it’s not party’s policy and they always condemned. If anyone was found involved he must be put on trial, (4) it rejects all accusations of Indian funding or training. In the past also it faced such accusations, but came out clean. These are the two standard positions, as the MQM now faces cases both in Pakistan and in London. These cases not only relate to target killings and murder of one of MQM founders Dr Imran Farooq, but also to money laundering and China-cutting. Now, if it’s a myth that the MQM has a militant wing or tendencies of militancy, how will it end if there is an element of truth in it? Secondly, why successive civil and militancy regimes made MQM their political partners in power sharing? For the MQM top leadership, both in London and Pakistan, it’s time to assess how much the militancy factor has damaged them as a political entity if some of these allegations are based on certain facts and background information. The handling of MQM had been poor in the last three operations. The factor which was often ignored and not addressed was the “identity crisis,” which is the strength of the MQM.How much the “militancy factor” (if true) has helped MQM’s political ideology or has damaged it? Many believe that the MQM could have been a much different party had it reviewed its organizational structure and removed this strong perception.The MQM leadership is still confident that this operation against them would also fail like in the past and the party would come out clean. But, in both the cases the MQM leadership needs to understand that the party can be a much stronger political force if it succeeds in removing the perception of dominating urban Sindh only through the muscle power. The MQM’s political acceptability got more support after accusation free elections in NA-246 and Cantonment Board.Thus, if the party can survive and become a strong political force, there is no need to do “area control” politics. The MQM still has a bright future in mainstream politics as issues related to its very birth still remain unresolved. The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of GEO, The News and Jang.
