The MQM, which had previously announced resignation from the National Assembly, Senate and the Sindh Assembly, has once more changed its mind after a meeting with the prime minister in Islamabad. At the meeting between the MQM delegation and PM Nawaz Sharif, the Karachi operation and other matters concerning the MQM were discussed. The MQM appears to have concentrated chiefly on persuading the prime minister, or attempting to persuade him, that the operation in Karachi was victimising the party. It is unclear if the PM was convinced of this. But he has decided to set up a ‘Grievance Redressal Committee’ which will review complaints and question officers of the law-enforcement agencies if required. It is the responsibility of the government to address the grievances of a mainstream political party like the MQM. The assurances extended by the premier to the MQM are welcome but now the government has to act more responsibly while fulfilling its promises regarding the formation of a committee to monitor the operation. It is not possible for such a body to be formed on the dictates of the MQM, but the aggrieved party should be taken on board. The committee in question should enjoy the confidence of the complainants as well as other stakeholder parties. The impartiality of the monitoring committee is critical. Extrajudicial killings and workers’ arrests without charge or due process can lead to further anarchy in the country. The government needs to constitute the monitoring committee to comprise of credible and neutral members. In the garb of the operation, no one, including the personnel of the law enforcement agencies, can be allowed to take the law into their own hands. It is the duty of the law enforcement agencies to arrest criminals and terrorists and present them in court with solid evidence. No one can be arrested or killed in an arbitrary manner. The government should continue a non-discriminatory operation till the elimination of the last criminal and terrorist and restoration of peace in Karachi. As mentioned by the PM, the operation is in the interests of the MQM too and it should support it for bringing peace in Karachi. The reconciliation between the government and the MQM can only be welcomed. At this juncture, our country cannot afford the politics of confrontation and street protests. In principle there is nothing wrong with holding by-elections on seats vacated by one party or the other, but at this critical juncture, the country needs continuity of the democratic system. By announcing their return to parliament, the MQM has shown maturity and flexibility and this should be welcomed. The MQM can play a more positive and constructive role to address the masses’ problems from the platform of parliament. All political parties need to play a responsible role and avoid the politics of confrontation.
pk.shafaqna.com
