Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: MQM has pursued the Benazir Bhutto formula of 2002 to salvage the party. Benazir Bhutto was finding it hard to return to Pakistan as she faced grave charges in 2002. She kept the vote bank of the party intact by establishing Peoples Party Parliamentarians under Makhdoom Amin Fahim and while remaining centre stage.

MQM apparently isolated itself under the leadership of Farooq Sattar from Altaf Hussain in the wake of cases like treason against the MQM supremo, thus averting disintegration. But the real powers will rest with Altaf Hussain and Rabita Committee London. Despite the fact that party is registered in the name of Farooq Sattar, Altaf Hussain has been tipped as Bani Quaid-e-Tehreek in the last chapter of the constitution of the party.

In keeping with the constitution, Altaf Hussain is entitled to set up a forum of any nature and abolish it within the party. Whatever decision is taken by the remaining leadership of the party, it will have no legal standing unless Altaf Hussain endorses it. In the case of no nod from Altaf Hussain the party decision will stand nullified. Legal experts say that in the presence of written constitution of MQM, Farooq Sattar or someone else cannot make any announcement to run the party within from Pakistan. Therefore, Rabita Committee from London made it clear on Tuesday that party matters will be run as usual.

Sources said that strategy was evolved following intensive consultations among Altaf Hussain, London Rabita Committee and senior leadership of the party in Pakistan. Farooq Sattar is enjoying the same position in the party that Makhdoom Amin Fahim held in 2002 in PPP because all the vital decisions were being taken by self exiled leader Benazir Bhutto.

The moment also came when former president Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf decided to induct Makhdoom Amin Fahim in the coveted slot of Prime Minister from the PPP side, but when Makhdoom Amin Fahim contacted Benazir Bhutto in Dubai, she refused to accept it and Makhdoom Amin Fahim informed Pervez Musharraf about the decision.

Sources said that sitting MQM leadership of Pakistan is not only loyal to London leadership but also is loyal to written constitution of the party. MQM leadership sitting in London believes staunchly that Farooq Sattar and other leaders will not betray their Quaid.