KARACHI: A hitherto unknown organisation put up banners in the city on Monday and suggested that an alliance between retired Gen Pervez Musharraf and the Dr Farooq Sattar-led MQM-Pakistan, with the former having a leading role, would save Pakistan.

The mysterious banners, put up by unidentified men from the so-called Muttahida Qaumi Jirga-Pakistan, came a day after pro-Musharraf graffiti appeared in Karachi, particularly the city’s Central district which is considered an MQM stronghold.

The background of a banner hanging outside the Karachi Press Club reflec­ted the national flag with a crescent, while a picture of Gen Musharraf was superimposed on the star. It also contained relatively small pictures of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Dr Sattar on the right and left corners.

While the banner is for the Urdu-speaking community, the first slogan on it is in Punjabi and it reads: “Jag Mohajir Jag....Teri Pag Nu Lag Gaye Aag”, or wake up Mohajirs as your honour is at stake. Another slogan is: Kaun Bachayega Pakistan, Muttahida Pakistan aur Musharraf Bhaijan, or MQM-Pakistan and Musharraf will together save Pakistan, and the last one is Long Live Musharraf, Long Live Pakistan.

However, MQM-London leader Mus­tafa Azizabadi tweeted the pictures of the banner put up outside the KPC and termed it another “childish attempt by the establishment to capture #MQM after failing their other attempts”.

MQM-Pakistan leader Faisal Subzwari also tweeted that his party “believe(s) in power of masses” and “not in some banners or graffiti”.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2016