Who is the MQM?
The MQM or “Muttahida Quami Movement” has had a firm grip on Pakistani politics for several decades. A secular party, the MQM is locked in a bitter battle with several rivals for influence in Karachi, the southern seaport city of Pakistan. Their tight leash of influence is rivaled by groups including the Pakistan Taliban, a known terrorist organization.
MQM founder and leader, Altaf Hussain, does not even live in the country his party represents. A British national, Hussain is barred from entering Pakistan and lives in exile, leading his party from his home in London, never setting foot in Pakistan.
Recently, the city of Karachi held a re-election due to voter rigging by the MQM, alleged by Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI. The May 11 Pakistan general elections gave the MQM 18 of 19 National Assembly seats in Karachi – a long standing power hub for the party. Khan’s party won a re-vote in part of one constituency of Karachi giving it one seat. This has led to wide-spread anger and protests by MQM supporters because it shows growing support for the Khan’s PTI.
Despite the ongoing quarrels between the PTI and MQM, the people of Pakistan are the ones who are suffering. Election fraud in the recent voting in Pakistan has given the MGM even more power than ever, and critics say that the real victims in the ongoing quarrels between the PTI and MQM are the people of Pakistan who say they are being frozen out of the political process.
Political Murder
Cricketer-turned-politician, Khan has accused MQM of killing one of his senior staff in an attack two weeks ago, after making threats.
MQM members have denied responsibility for the killing of Zahra Shahid Hussain outside of her home in Defence, an upscale neighborhood in Karachi. MQM leaders blamed the killing on unidentified gunmen, and demanded a retraction from Khan.
“We won’t allow Imran Khan to come Karachi if he continues with these baseless allegations,” senior MQM member Nabeel Gabol said during a MQM political rally May 20.
But Khan is adamant in his accusation.
“I hold (MQM leader) Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder as he openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts,” Khan, recovering in hospital from a fall during campaigning, said. “I also hold the British government responsible as I had warned them about British citizen Altaf Hussain after his open threats.”
No rights
My aunt Najma Khan, a 63 year old retired teacher, has spent her entire life in Karachi. She has voted in every election without fail, and believes strongly in the liberal ideals of Imran Khan’s party. She says Khan has energized the Pakistani people, and his group is in good standing.
“Khan’s party was the only uncontested party in the election, and it was untainted by allegations of corruption and violence,” Najma said in her native Urdu during a phone interview. “Khan’s party has never supported a militant wing, nor has it supported any criminal gang or leader. That’s why I wanted to vote for him.”
Najma says Khan is a leader for the future of Pakistan – a leader she can stand by. Tired of seeing war and bloodshed ravage her home, Najma looks to her faith in God to make sure a good leader, like Khan, would be chosen to lead the way to peace.
But her path to the polls was marred by the political misgivings of people who would go to great lengths – even denying citizens their right to vote – to make sure their chosen political leader wins.
On Election Day, Najma entered her polling station to cast her ballot.
“The poll manager asked me if I was voting for MQM, which I think is illegal. And I told him no.”
To her surprise, Najma said she was asked to leave. When she asked why, the manager simply said that her ballot “had already been cast,” and she was free to go.
Democracy
In places like Karachi, thumbs are stamped with ink as evidence that citizens have voted. It’s become a symbol of democracy. People often raise their thumbs in the air, singing and shouting in Urdu, celebrating their rights and their freedom. Smiles wide on their faces.
But when Najma left the poll, her thumb was left unmarked. The atmosphere around her was somber. No singing, no smiles. Her neighbors, like her, who were relieved and happy to vote only moments before, left with their heads hung in defeat.
“Where is our democracy?” Najma said. “These people have stripped of us our will, our rights, and our citizenship.”
She doubts she will ever vote again.
