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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