Why Altaf Hussain is against of CJ Ifthikhar Chaudhry?

By Nadia Khan

Beside the Charter of Democracy (CoD) interpretation discussion, being done between MQM men and media men such as Ansar Abbasi, there are far other factors due to which Altaf Hussain is die-hard opponent of CJ Ifthikhar Chaudhry. MQM chief wasn't the signatory of that charter, signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif only, and he hasn't endorsed it in last few years.

1. There is a common doubt that CJ Ifthikhar Chaudhry, after his restoration, would likely open the pending petition against the formulation of NRO, the then President Musharraf had proclaimed it against the wishes of people of Pakistan and the then govt of Q league. There are over 6500 MQM hardcore-activists who got freed due to NRO. Altaf Hussain will not indulge in any situation where the 'rule of law' would become the lime-light for Karachi residents. Internally with the cancellation of NRO, MQM workers would face trials and ultimately their loyalty with their party and founder will be compromised.

2. Restoration of CJ Ifthikhar Chaudhry, will result the opening of 12th May petition, against the killing of innocent Karachi residents came to airport to welcome CJ. Further, Karachi violence followed for next few days, after 12^th May, and that took lives of many innocent lawyers, mostly burnt in their chambers, that petition should ensure that those who were responsible for such heinous crime should face fair trial. Altaf Hussain, most likely, would not allow any petition to be raised in Sind High Court as it would tarnish the image of MQM in the eyes of Karachi residents, if the truth would come out for common Muhajir.

3. 12th May 2007 violence was fully exposed by electronic media. The faces of all such culprits are known and visible and that's how MQM has accepted a sort of retreat from its original stance, not to allow CH Ifthikhar Chaudhry in Karachi. After 12th May CJ has visited Karachi twice for bar council meetings or oath ceremonies. MQM chief would not like to expose his retreat any more in Karachi, if he accepts the restoration of CJ. This will weaken his own position in the eyes of his die-hard workers.

4. Last, lawyers movement has given a new thought process and life to 60-years old political structure of Pakistan, in which political leaders, mostly feudalists pretending themselves as Peers, acting like a superior personality and any contradiction with them means 'giving up your life.' MQM's founder, Altaf Hussain has followed the same path, termed himself as Peer Sahab, and any political awareness for Karachi residents especially Muhajir community, will turn out to be his political death. He will not ensure a true political awareness among Karachi or Hyderabad Muhajir community to come to level of political understanding. This eventually result a major set back for MQM in coming elections.