Altaf Hussain’s ‘political drone strike’ still remains a mystery

Mystery still shrouds the much publicized ‘political drone strike’, that the MQM self-exile chief plans to carry out in two days as the MQM leaders Monday argued that ‘no one share information about drone strikes’.

The MQM leaders, who appeared in the Supreme Court during hearing of the contempt proceedings against Altaf Hussain, evaded questions from journalists when asked about the nature of the political drone strike.

Some other MQM leaders already said that only ‘Altaf Bhai’ knows about his drone strike, the comments mean the matter will be a mystery unless it is announced.

Although Hussain’s statement is vague, it is believed that he could part ways with the government, quit assemblies, or end years of self exile and may make announcement to return to Pakistan. But the MQM leaders ruled out possibilities of his return and parting ways with the government. Now it is also stated that Altaf Hussain could announce boycott of the coming parliamentary elections.

It was also believed earlier that the MQM leader could stage a comeback for appearance in court in contempt case but it proved wrong on Monday and the MQM is seeking exemption from his personal court appearance over threats to his life.

The court last month had ordered Altaf Hussain to personally appear on January 7 for his remarks against the judges. MQM had angrily reacted to the court’s order and staged rallies in Karachi.

Altaf’s announcement on Sunday sparked rumors and political uncertainty in the country at a time when parliamentary polls are due just in few months. He had promised to launch a “political drone attack” in three days and no one in Pakistan will be able to launch a counter attack.

In a statement issued from his London office, Hussain said his “political drone” will hit the country on Tuesday (Jan. 8). However, he did not explain the nature of the attack nor the intended target of the strike. Now only one day is left for his strike.

Some political leaders say that Altaf Hussain had in the past on several occasions fired political drones but those drones were could not do any damage as after says he take back his warnings and that is why many in Pakistan believe that it could also be the same.

They also think that if Altaf quits assembly or the government, it will have no impact as the assemblies and government will complete their terms in two months and the government can even opt for early dissolution of assemblies.

However the option of MQM election boycott would be a matter of concern and a move to spoil the democratic process and even cast doubt about the elections.

The MQM chief had urged his party workers to prepare themselves for the political drone strike and its aftereffects. There are several precedents of MQM boycott in the country’s political history.

Hussain’s MQM has, in a surprising move, declared support for a long march in Islamabad by a Dr. Tahir-ul- Qadri on Jan. 14 to press for what he claims electoral reforms ahead of the elections.

The government and opposition leaders are critical at Hussain’s support to the march by Qadri, a Canadian-Pakistani, returned to the country last month after spending five years in Canada.

The MQM support for Qadri’s march surprised many in Pakistan and its announcement was suspected to be a move to destabilize the political system and to postpone the elections.

President Asif li Zardari sent Interior Minister Rehman Malik to London last week to request the MQM chief to change his decision of supporting the long march. However, he rejected the demand. The MQM’s two federal ministers stayed away from last week ‘s cabinet meeting, raising speculations about the group’s rift with the government.

To most political leaders and the media in Pakistan, the long march is a move to create political unrest at a time when political parties have started preparations for general elections. However, the organizer of the long march and the MQM denied any such plan and insist they want reforms in election laws to “stop corrupt elements from becoming members of the parliament.”

Despite the government’s efforts, the MQM chief did not withdraw his support to the long march that has created political uncertainty in the country at a time when the government will complete its five-year constitutional term in mid-March. Then a caretaker government will be installed to supervise parliamentary elections in two to three months.

The government has already started consultations with the opposition for a consensus caretaker prime minister for a smooth transition in the coming months.

All political parties are in favor of elections on time and the government and the major opposition Pakistan Muslim League are unanimous to resist any move to sabotage elections.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Jan 7 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Opinion, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.