By Aasef Chauhdry
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is very clear, précis and unambiguous. The Article 6 of it elaborates in detail about people who fall under the High Treason category, thus liable to a punishment. The article 6 is hereby quoted,
1. Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.
2. Any person aiding or abetting or collaborating the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason. 2(A). An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.
3. Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.”
After having said this all, a question lurks in everyone’s mind that why a Psychological patient in the name of politics be allowed to make hostage the public, hijack the airtime of electronic channels and provoke the peaceful citizens of the country to rise against the state, while himself living comfortably abroad and enjoying all the perks and privileges as a citizen of that country? It’s not difficult to understand that we are talking about MQM Chairman Altaf Hussain, who was particularly and the rest of the MQM leadership generally, were earlier vociferously seeking direct involvement of Army, made a somersault and unexpectedly changed their stance and started criticizing Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies with hollow allegation of partiality. Military exercised restraint but venomous campaign against Army / ISI / Pakistan Rangers continued unabated. So finally the army had to rebut his nonsensical allegations in a befitting and strong manner. Hours after a strong reaction from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) over a speech by Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain in which he ‘criticised’ the Pakistan Army, the party came up with a dilly dally excuse that their chief actually did not condemn or criticize the armed forces and in fact applauded the leadership of army chief General Raheel Sharif. This joke has happened many times before also and not a new thing.
Apart from the armed forces the general public of Pakistan showed strong resentment to his abhorrence for the army and largely condemned Altaf Hussain and his blind followers. Finding no other way out and under the growing condemnation and pressure from public and political circles, MQM leaders resorted to plead for forgiveness and regretted his remarks. It is his usual way and political jugglery which he has been repeating quite often. Why he is allowed to appear on microphone at that crucial time when he is not in his senses, and permitted to waste public’s precious time? The gentleman claims to be a visionary and a self proclaimed Quaid. Does this ludicrous behaviour suits to a person who has placed himself on a higher-tier?
In the latest episode of Altaf Hussain’s comical and absurd behaviour, he crossed all the limits of ethics and morality to demonize the institutions of Pakistan and even sought help from RAW but that was not the end. The irony was that like slaves, MQM leadership in Pakistan, without realizing, that in which tight corner their insane leader has placed them, launched a campaign to defend him. Public pressure once again forced him to seek apology. It is imperative to question political leadership in Pakistan, how many times he would rebuke the nation and its sons in uniform and how many times the State would remain silent and bear his insolvent posture. There is a big question mark pinned on the ruling elite’s indifferent behaviour.
At the moment it sounds as if this is the armed forces’ issue and not a matter of national concern. Pakistan Army spokesman, General Asim Bajwa, through his tweets of 30 April 2015, termed Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s speech as “uncalled for and disgusting” and signaled legal proceeding against him. In one of the tweets he said, “Such reference to Army or its leadership as reaction to arrest of criminals, who may have links with any political party, won't be tolerated”. In his other tweets, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) General Asim Bajwa reacted against MQM chief’s speech, saying the statements against Pakistan Army are unbearable and the court will be approached in this connection. He tweeted, “Irresponsible remarks and using media to incite the people of Pakistan to rise against the state- the matter will be pursued legally.” He was of the opinion, “Such reference to Army or its leadership as reaction to arrest of criminals, who may have links with any political party but will not be tolerated.”
This is one side of the story while on the other side, Britain where Altaf Hussain is living since decades, is surprisingly quiet. The is the duty of our government to ask the UK Govt whether they would allow such a controversial series of hate speeches from a foreigner into their country, who is accused of having been involved in a serious money laundering case and for which he can be sentenced to jail for years? The most disappointing things are coming from the British and Pakistan governments. The former is not stopping her citizen from creating anarchy and restlessness through his live hate speeches, while the latter is criminally quiet over this disastrous conspiracy and neither taking any legal action nor banning such lethal speeches on electronic media. Its known to all and sundries that the LAEs (Law enforcing Agencies) Operations in Karachi are across the board and are without any like or dislike, nevertheless, the shady stance taken by Altaf Hussain creates suspicions and indicates MQM’s involvement in destabilizing Karachi. The role of LEAs to restore peace in Karachi is evident through its acts and it should be applauded and encouraged in true spirits without making biased references.
No one claims or alleges that the whole MQM is a band of criminals. It has, in fact, many balanced, sane and patriotic personalities. But it’s time for those personalities to think over it as to why should they remain the part of a lost, disgruntle and mischievous hoard? Knowing well, that a person sitting outside of Pakistan, having jolly good time while creating hurdles for them here by his hate speeches, has no right or reason to be followed or supported. Making a choice isn’t very difficult for them. O one side they have to follow a person whom they have not seen in decades and who is living on their party funds lavishly, abroad while on the other hand they have a holy motherland and its guardians, who should, logically be more important and dear to them. Pakistan Armed Forces are pro national in character without having any provincial inclinations. For them anyone who is against the State is their number one enemy, may he be a Punjabi, Pakhtun, Baloch or Sindhi. Mohajir otherwise sounds an out of place and out of time word as the last mass migration that took place was by the Afghan brethren. After decades some returned to their motherland and the others who preferred to stick around opted to change their nationalities and liked to be called as Pakistanis. If that’s so then why the people who migrated about 68 years back should be taken as the ‘Mohajirs’? Even the infants of that era are now senior citizens who have seen their wonderful time here in Pakistan. Many of them have called it a day and the rest are living peacefully in hibernation, then why this card of Mohajir is being played again and again when a meager number of actual Mohajirs is left alive and point to remember that when we call someone Mohajir its not only Urdu speaking class. The history suggests that Mohajirs from East Punjab suffered more at the hands of brutal Sikhs and gave far more sacrifices than anyone else.
My question is to the patriotic people of Karachi as to how long they will continue to stay mum and seal their tongues? And for how long they are going to tolerate lunacy of leadership? It is the first and foremost obligation of MQM workers to call Altaf Hussain’s oratory as sadistic, aggressive and treasonous. They should remember that as patriotic Pakistanis it’s their crucial test. What happens from here on would be entirely the responsibility of people of Karachi. They have to join their hands irrespective of their political parties’ alliances and have to raise a flag of unity and nationalism. Karachi is Pakistan’s lifeline. Pakistan as an independent state has stepped into seventh decade and third generation is enjoying the perks of independence. How long we will continue to be Mohajir, let’s not negatively portray the image of residents of Karachi in a wrong way, they are now the proud natives of Sindh and majority of them is living happily. The loyalty and patriotism of Urdu speaking is beyond any doubt and it’s as pure and genuine as it is of a Punjabi, Pakhtun, Balochi, Kashmiri or Sindhi, however the same of a group within MQM is debatable. A big responsibility lies on the shoulders of the Karachites. It’s time for them to show their immense love for the motherland and let the history to write their names in the golden words. The armed forces are doing their duty and will keep discharging their responsibilities diligently and selflessly but it’s the people of Karachi who can stop Karachi from becoming Dhaka, when a handful bunch is hell bent upon playing into the alien hands.
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