30 Mins: Pak leaders rule from UK

LONDON DIARIES: Karachi became a battleground between Musharraf's supporters and opponents.

      

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The streets of Karachi became a battleground between supporters and opponents of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, a battle between supporters of the PML led by Nawaz Sharif, now in London, and the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM). But were the people fighting in Karachi puppets, with strings in the hands of a leadership in London, particularly the MQM?

There were rallies in Pakistan of the MQM, addressed by its leader Altaf Hussain, via phone, all the way from London. The MQM represents Indian Muslims who moved to Pakistan after Partition, and has been led by Hussain from London since he arrived here in self-exile in 1992.

“I have been here since 1992 and kept contact with every unit and zone. I have not only kept the movement alive but also taken it forward,” he said.

On May 12, 2007, violence erupted in Karachi. Supporters of Musharraf were pitched against groups supporting sacked Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhary.

It is now alleged that the violence, which started during an MQM rally in support of Musharraf, was engineered from the MQM's London office. On May 11, MQM leaders listened as Hussain spoke on speaker phone and spelt out the following days plans.

"There are forces that are conspiring to disrupt the MQM rally on May 12,” he said.

Hussain knew trouble was imminent in Karachi, he prepared his party for it. He knows he wields influence on the streets of Pakistan, but denies inciting violence.

“If there's rain in Hyderabad, Altaf Hussain in London is held responsible. If a bus burns somewhere, a case should be made against Altaf Hussain in London,” he said at the rally.

Hussain came to London to lead the MQM in opposition. For the past three years he has been in alliance with the military government of General Musharraf. But even as government ally, he has not returned to Pakistan.

"Altaf Hussain, his party is in the government, but I'm sure that as soon as he will go there, he is in danger, his life is in danger,” said member Kashmir International Front, Afzal Tahir.

"Where the life of the President of Pakistan is not safe, how on earth could Central Committee of MQM or the workers or supporters permit Hussain to return?” added MQM member, Mohammed Anwar.

Accused for years of politicking in exile, Hussain now asks Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, the leaders who made the accusations, why they followed him to London.

“Nawaz Sharif says ‘Come back to Islamabad, I will arrange for security.’ I said, ‘What is your own security?" said Hussain.

And for Benazir, too, he has a barrage of questions. “Why have you come here? Who sent you here? What is the purpose? You have to tell the people,” Hussain asked her.

The qaum (homeland) in Pakistan has its eyes on London, on Hussain himself and what he could continue to do long distance, particularly now that he's backed Musharraf against the Chief Justice which was a hazardous move.

The qaum has its eyes on what Benazir might do from London, or Nawaz Sharif here.