Mqm-Sharif Alliance In Danger Of Cracking
The alliance of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) is beginning to fray in just three months after the general election. The MQM has now publicly accused Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs government of victimising its workers and planning an onslaught on it. The two parties are parnters of the government of Sindh province and have agreed on cooperation at the Federal level as well.
But old differences between the MQM and the government of the day are beginning to surface again. While the MQM alleges victimisation, the Pakistani government accuses that party of sponsoring terrorism.
MQM sources here say growing tension over police reports on alleged terrorist activities of the MQM is threatening the fragile alliance. The MQM is led from its headquarters in London by Altaf Hussain, the leader in self-imposed exile. The MQM released a confidential intelligence report of the Pakistani police that provides some glimpse of how the Pakistani police see the party. The report refers to someone called Kaleemullah Kaleem Orangi as a notorious terrorist of MQM (A), (meaning the Altaf Hussain group). The police report says the man is being supported by newly elected member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly, S M Mohyuddin. The police report names three other terrorists and says there were four or five others. It says that this group of terrorists had killed Hidayatullah, who had dared to open a store next to the Ali Baba General Store owned by Kaleem Orangis father-in-law. Kaleem alleged him to be a police informer and eliminated him on the same
pretext, the police report produced by the MQM says.
Reports alleging terrorist activities by the MQM have been persistent. The Pakistani security forces had claimed to have found torture cells run by the MQM after the launch of Operation Clean-Up in 1992.
The Pakistani police now say that the MQM is raising pressure to tie the hands of the police because they are a partner in government. The differences have led to a warning sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by Ishtiaq Azhar, convenor of the central co-ordination committee of the MQM. Azhar wrote to Sharif: We apprehend this recent activity of paramilitary Rangers and intelligence agencies against us is an indication of a perpetual threat and a prelude to yet another massive onslaught upon us. Since the MQM is now a coalition partner in the government of Sindh province and has an agreement with you at the Federal level, it might seem surprising that how and why the state agencies would conspire against it. The MQM leader wrote: Since the commencement of Operation Clean-Up on June 19, 1992, till date, seven governments have changed. But the policy of the State against the MQM and Mohajirs remained in execution in a persistent manner although with various spikes of intensity.
The release of the confidential correspondence of the Pakistani police through the partys London headquarters is an indication that MQM supremo Hussain is behind the recent challenge to the Nawaz Sharif government.
India Abroad News Service
The two leaders had met in London when Mr Sharif was in the opposition. The MQM announced after the meeting that the two leaders had come to an agreement. Mr Sharif later denied any agreement but went on to work out an alliance with the party in Sindh. MQM leaders say the alliance has never been convincing enough.
The new MQM challenge is the first public sign of the cracks that are appearing in the alliance, MQM leaders admit.
India Abroad News Service (Credit Mandatory) ends/9.5.97