Daily Times

The recent episode of violence in Karachi triggered by the tirade of the chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain was finally brought to crossroads on Friday. Had it been the Karachi of yesteryears, the removal of posters bearing Hussain’s image from the party’s Nine Zero headquarters on top of the Rangers action against MQM offices would have descended the city in chaos. The prevalent normal state of affairs, however, clearly validates a change within both MQM and Karachi.

Whether Hussain’s announcement of taking a ‘break’ from party affairs would last a while or not is something only time would validate. Nonetheless, his iron-fisted dominance over Karachi despite the oft-shifting political winds cannot go unnoticed. Having enjoyed unquestionable support from the mohajir, Urdu-speaking population since 1990s Hussain and his cadres had significantly carved ethnic boundaries deep inside the city. The present circumstances challenging his stewardship of the party stand in a stark contrast to the previous cult-type appeal his personality held. Hence, the MQM leadership needs to do much more than part ways with its London-based leader in order to establish a long-standing presence in the city’s politics sans their chief.

The overwhelming public support that the MQM enjoys as the fifth largest political party in the country, gaining almost 2.5 million votes in the 2013 general election on top of coasting through subsequent by-elections, holds significant ground. Despite the events of the last few days, MQM councillors still swept the elections to the positions of mayor, deputy mayor and chairman of many district municipal corporation councils in Karachi as well as Hyderabad. Hence the post-Hussain leadership should strive to achieve a smooth transition.

It is high time that the party’s previous notoriety for operating mostly through arms and hoodlums be discarded in favour of a demilitarised MQM. Political reforms should be adopted to facilitate masses in lieu of ruling them through fear. The manner in which the mayor-designate, Waseem Akhtar, controls the city’s administration from prison would also determine the party’s stance and stature without Hussain. Sanitation, energy crises and industrial breakdown are some of the glaring problems that he needs to address on an immediate basis. The fact that Karachi is slated among five most polluted cities in the world also calls for implementation of effective policies. Moreover, the threat of fragmenting leaders from the cliques of Nine Zero also holds significant importance. Until and unless the leadership unites its splintering colleagues by policies that consolidate their position on municipal development, it would have a hard time rebranding itself.

In a country synonymous with dynasty politics, Hussain had successfully emerged as a player with a decades-long record of survival. It is hoped that the present MQM leadership would utilise the political space to their advantage in setting forth a party that lasts a while. Only then can the mandate and destiny of millions of Karachi-ites be served in the best manner possible. *