It is Noora Kushti or Topi Drama or you name it

The present political atmosphere in the country has created mixed feelings of dismay, uncertainty and confusion tinged with bluffing which, as such, I strongly believe cannot prolong for much longer period unless and until some sincere, truthful and judicious steps are taken up to continue ruling the country.

Pakistan Peoples Party which has won more seats in the last general elections in the National Assembly and hence it being the majority political party has formed its own government to rule the country for the stipulated period of 5 years period of time but for quite many months its popularity is tilting towards backward which is not an encouraging situation in any case. For many long months it may be noted its different leaders including ministers either at provincial or federal level are telling the public that PPP will complete its full term and there is no question of any midterm election etc. Each day one can read in all the daily newspapers in addition to various television channels as to who and where has propagated about the continuity of ruling the country. The question is very simple as to why and under what terms and conditions, the whole lot be obliged issuing statements and addressing public meetings affirming that the things are quite normal and there is no question of any worry whatsoever. PPP has been given 5 years mandate to rule and play with the destiny of both the country and the people so why it felt the need to remind and or ascertain that the party has no fear and will complete its due period of time.

Karachi which is not only the most populated city of the country but also had been country’s capital and is certainly the commercial hub of the country has, one way or the other, turned into a fireball so far as law and order situation is concerned though law and order situation in other parts of the country is not that satisfactory either. Mutahidda Qaumi Movement is the political party headed by Altaf Hussain headquartered in London not only enjoys tremendous popularity in Karachi but has joined PPP right from day one as its closest ally and it can be said with full confidence and conviction without any contradiction whatsoever that both the parties are completely interdependent and none of the two can even think of parting off unless they themselves are their own enemies. Needless to mention in democratic system which is very much prevalent in Pakistan as well the political party which enjoys majority rules the country and from this point of view PPP enjoys an inborn right to rule the country. MQM’s governor heads in Sindh though Chief Minister belongs to PPP itself proves that MQM is very much in control and authority.   

Target killing, once a completely an unknown term is very much vogue in the country irrespective of the city though in Karachi its intensity has been much greater than other cities. It is very much regrettable to note that now ordinary common people with no political affiliation and or any prominence are being targeted for no reason and rhyme but yet we are using the term of target killing. How many people which include men, women and children have been killed since PPP is ruling the country? I can say on my honor that hardly anyone knows in government in particular and public in general to figure out as to what could be the figure of total fatalities in Sindh from the day PPP has taken over. To my understanding which is probably very much true that the deaths be split into two separate heads so far as their counting is concerned. The deaths are counted as initial and subsequent. At any moment when an explosion takes place and or guns are fired, some people die instantly and therefore such like death be called as initial death and it is not that difficult to keep a pool proof account of such deaths but, nevertheless, then are those as well who die or may die later either in any hospital and or a house which I categorize as subsequent death. The real problem arises number about subsequent deaths since after passage of sometime people forget as to what had happened some weeks ago and likewise press also cannot keep a track on those who were injured at one given time. Sometimes only one can read about a death pertaining to some past incident but it does not happen not always. Doesn’t it prove my point that regretfully under the given prevailing situation whatever figures may be given by none but President Asif Zardari even cannot be truthful figures and likewise the figures become less and less authenticated as we slide down the ladder? Interestingly, figures quoted by our worthy Prime Minister or for that matter Interior Minister; Information Minister; IG Police; DG Rangers, to quote a few, do not tally in any case.

In recent days Karachi had been gripped with mass killing, not target killing, from any angle whatsoever but how and why is the unanswered question? Each day many were killed in many different localities and at this point of time- Sun 25^th October, 2010 at 1840 hours Kuwait Time and 2040 hours Pakistan Times when I am writing these lines I have read (Four killed in Karachi target killings incidents. Copied and pasted from latest news Dawn). You must be remembering that just last week when the killing was at its height-24 killed in Karachi alone in one day only, which as such, not only gripped Karachites but even those living in other cities in the country or overseas like me were awed and definitely they all were trembling in their trousers upon the pathetic conditions of our metropolitan city. People were just dumb and numb. It will be very much appropriate to pen which cannot be called as an exaggeration from any angle or perspective that the people faces were pulled down; lips dried; voices choked; blood soaked and they were just cursing themselves to be alive to face such an untold hell in the country they loved the most.

Hold your breath, no more inhaling and or exhaling since now the curtain will be drawn to let all know how intelligently the whole situation was dramatized. MQM called two simultaneous emergency meetings both in London and Karachi to speak out their mind about Karachi situation. The nation was glued before tv screens to see and listen Altaf Hussain in London and Dr Farooq Sattar in Karachi and at both locations they were just saying nothing new or concrete but uttering like trained parrots. Their words and the body language very well told the whole world what they were aiming at. Then all of a sudden we saw on tv screens that Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat Abad was heading towards Islamabad to meet President Asif Ali Zardari saying that enough is enough. It was aired that he is carrying his resignation with him and wants to hand it over to Head of State as a token of protest over Karachi killings and honest to Allah, I had my serious doubts if he would resign and I did hint it to my wife who opposed me tooth and nail and I just asked her not be jittery and wait for awhile when the drama will unfold. However, it was also said on tv screens that it was nothing but a normal and routine meeting and therefore there is no question of Governor resignation.

I say on my honor and life that Sind Governor was not all showing off or threatening or just adding spice to the dish for nothing, rather on the contra, he in just one stroke only completely bowled out all including me when he did reach Islamabad to meet the President Asif Ali Zardari. However, initially it was aired that the President was too busy in some important engagements so possibly the visitor to the capital may not succeed in meeting our top most VVIP at the President House in Islamabad. One more shock for people like me because eventually he met the President which has been televised as well so that doubts, if any, can be dispelled once for all. None knows what did they talk but one thing is sure that at least television channels did not show both the actions namely Governor Dr Ibad handing over his resignation the President Zardari on one hand and the President returning the resignation back to the visitor on the other hand but it will be sin, unpardonable sin, if we do not believe the double action. We heard that the resignation was not accepted.

Who does not know that PPP simply cannot even think what to talk of affording to lose MQM at this point of time when Zardari and his team is sitting on nothing but volcano which can erupt any time. In case if MQM quits from alliance then PPP government can be toppled any time simply because PML (N) which is the second majority can very well twist the game in its favor. Moreover, though numerically speaking Pir Pagra has no say in National Assembly but ever since he has already started unification of Muslim League and though not many have joined him but there is every possibility that in the coming day’s unification can gain momentum. Pir has already opined that PML (N) may also join the unification. As the bad luck had it, PML (Q) and PML (N) which had been at loggers head for quite many long years just took an unexpected turn whereby the two factions of Muslim League met and had a preliminary discussion to at least have a feedback if there could be any possibility between them to join hands. God forbid if they really join hands, which cannot be ruled out in any case, will be not and cannot be considered less than piercing knife into back of PPP.

I have neither any formal education nor any experience so far as future prediction is concerned but still will say quite emphatically and dogmatically that PPP can survive only if it has MQM on its books and likewise MQM can enjoy power only if PPP is on the throne and not otherwise. Lust of power which is very much embedded in MQM and PPP demands that they must continue living under one roof if not one bed lest both of them shall have to pack up and quit the political arena which none of the two will do come what may. Aren’t you with me??

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With my honest and solemn prayers

Sincere Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait