KARACHI, Oct 18: The softly-softly approach maintained by the Muttahida Quami Movement over the second homecoming of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto reflects a positive change in the estranged relations of the two parties, convincing many that they are inching closer to become allies in the next political setup.
The MQM surprised many when it instantly welcomed the announcement made by Ms Bhutto that she would land in Karachi on Oct 18. The party also proved it as none of its provincial ministers, advisers or nazims hindered the activity carried out by the PPP cadre even in the MQM’s strongholds to welcome Ms Bhutto.
The support was not from the MQM alone. When former prime minister Nawaz Sharif convened an All Parties Conference in London in July, where all participants demanded a ban on the MQM due to its alleged involvement in the May 12 mayhem in Karachi, it was the PPP which opposed it and called it an undemocratic demand.
Ms Bhutto, according to sources, privately told her party leaders not to kick up a fuss over the May 12 events.
The sources said that it was President Gen Pervez Musharraf and his two close aides who played a crucial role in bringing the two parties, once at loggerheads with each other, closer. The presidency had consulted the MQM before starting the backchannel negotiations with the PPP leadership over two years ago.
However, despite all this, both the PPP leadership and MQM representatives are unwilling to openly acknowledge the existence of any contact between the two parties.
“We have no direct contact with the PPP,” said MQM leader Faisal Subzwari.
The MQM did not send its representatives to the airport to welcome Ms Bhutto on her arrival in Karachi on Thursday. Party sources told Dawn that it was not wise to send a delegation to welcome the former premier without having any formal relation with the PPP.
A senior leader of the MQM admitted the existence of indirect contacts between the top leadership of both the MQM and the PPP. “Things are shaping up rapidly and both parties have already agreed to forget whatever happened in the past in the interest of Pakistan, particularly in the interest of the people of Sindh,” he said, asking not to be named.
The sources said that despite an informal understanding, there would be no electoral adjustments in the next general election and the PPP and the MQM would field candidates against each others.
They said the welcome accorded to the PPP leader on her arrival would have no impact on the people of Karachi. “The MQM is not interested in holding a programme immediately in Karachi to show its public support. Elections are fast approaching and our public meetings [to be held during the election campaign] would show the world who is dominating the urban areas of Sindh,” the leader said.