MQM's resignations aim to prop up falling clout

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar and other party members presenting resignations to National Assembly Speaker.

In a dramatic move that has the potential of plunging the country into a fresh era of political uncertainty and turmoil, lawmakers of the Muttahida's Qaumi Movement (MQM), country's fourth biggest and dominant party in Karachi and most of urban Sindh, on Wednesday submitted en bloc resignations from the Senate, the National and the Sindh assemblies.
The party that represents overwhelming majority of Urdu-speaking migrants from northern India, alleged it had taken the precipitate action in protest against what it alleged discriminatory Karachi operation by para-military force Karachi Rangers, targeting its activists in raids, arrests, extra-judicial killings and illegal kidnappings.
MQM senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar told reporters outside Parliament House here that hand-written resignations of 8 senators, 24 members of National Assembly and 51 embers of Sindh Assembly have been submitted collectively and individually to their respective speakers.
Sattar said the 'Mohajirs' were being meted out treatment of "third class citizens" and denied their human and constitutional rights. The Rangers' operation in Karachi was solely aimed at eliminating the MQM and promote a parallel organisation besides parties like the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) of Imran Khan.
National Assembly speaker ascertained from each individual MQM member whether he was submitting the resignation of own free will and not under any duress to which he was given an affirmative response from them. It was later announced that he has sent the resignations to the Election Commission of Pakistan meaning he accepted them and the commission will now proceed for re-election process.
The resignations come at a time when the MQM is under intense pressure for abrasive statements and speeches by its chief Altaf Hussain living in self-exile for the last 25 years in London from where he controls the party through long-winded telephonic addresses. In recent weeks he invited India to save Mohajirs from 'atrocities' and urged the UN and Nato to send forces to Karachi.
Confessional statements by the MQM activists arrested by the Rangers alleged that Altaf received financial assistance from Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) which also trained its activists in sabotage and terrorist acts to destabilise Karachi. Altaf's statements generated countrywide outrage and resentment with more than 100 cases registered against him all over the country, accusing him of fomenting rebellion and subverting the constitution.
Analysts in media channels termed the MQM move a political gimmick to regroup the party which was being widely predicted as on the decline losing its stranglehold on Karachi in the wake of remarkable successes achieved by the Rangers in restoring peace and order in country's economic hub and biggest metropolis. The MQM also appears to have lost capacity to close the city at will as it used to do till last year.
The MQM is known for its stringent discipline and strong arm tactics. While opting out of parliamentary politics, it may take to street politics with possibility of violence in the city. One indication of this outcome was available shortly after the dramatic performance of party leaders outside assembly, when some unknown assailants fired at a police mobile van in MQM stronghold Korangi in Karachi killing four policemen.
Altaf is also facing some serious problems in Britain with the London Metropolitan Police is pursuing cases of money laundering and murder of a dissident MQM close aid of Altaf, Imran Farooq. Altaf and some other senior party leaders are currently on bail.
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• Pakistan