Past, Present, and Future of MQM Party

In 1997, MQM led by Altaf Hussain officially changed the name from Mohajir Quami Movement to Muttahida Quami Movement, to further the  programme of national development in Pakistan. It was no longer a party catering for Mohajir needs but a party that had wanted to reach out to the middle class and the working class who were discriminated by medieval feudal system that exist in Pakistan. MQM manifesto in 1998 aimed to improve social and economic conditions in the Sindh. Despite its national integration and working for all cities in Pakistan, its representation in non Urdu speaking communities remained imperceptible, due to the propaganda from the early nineties.

MQM supported the then President Musharraf’s u turn on Afghan policy post 9/11. MQM has since then been an active supporter in the war against terrorism. MQM had strongly opposed the growth of extremist Islamist politics in Pakistan because being a secular political party it believes in religious freedom and safeguarding the rights of religious minorities. It saw the development of religious fundamentalism in Pakistan as a catalyst to the dream Mohammad Ali Jinnah had envisaged of Pakistan: a secular and democratic Pakistan.

In the presence day, the threat of Taliban in Karachi  has forced MQM to keep vigilant and to create an awareness amongst people in Karachi and people across the nation. Media coverage to this issue had been negligence, despite evidences shown. Most recently, Altaf Hussain had declared that MQM would defend its city from Taliban and other fundamentalist elements in accordance with United Nations charter. MQM is prepared to wage a battle against elements that seeks to destroy MQM’s vision of Pakistan as a liberal and democratic state.

For as long as Pakistan remains an epicentre of Islamic terrorism, the future will see MQM remaining active in opposing religious fundamentalism and defending its city. The future is also likely to see a rounded support for MQM from non Urdu speaking societies, as they begin to see MQM in a positive light with regards to its active role in opposing religious fundamentalism. Importantly, a softer image of MQM will emerge as they continue to be the first party to send help to disaster prone areas, as they have done in October 2005 and October 2008. Recruitment of Non Urdu speaking members to MQM will steadily increase due to the recognisation of MQM as the only party that truly represents the ninety eight percent of Pakistan’s middle class and working class and a party that is working for democracy. In the future, it will continue the campaign outside of Sindh to clear the misconception of MQM in the minds of people who had been severely misguided by anti MQM forces.

The essay has covered the past, present and future of MQM. When the party emerged during the eighties, it showed itself firmly rooted in local issues. By the late nineties, it emerged as a party ready to further the programme of national development and reach out to non Urdu speaking communities. From 2000 onwards, MQM had been actively involved in protecting its city from terrorism and anti MQM elements. The future is likely to see MQM continually working with political parties in promoting democracy and working together with other political parties in peaceful coexistence by setting asides their differences for the betterment of Pakistan. Future will also see the continual important role of Altaf Hussain as a mediator and a propagator of peace and democracy and for bringing politicians together to work towards prevailing democracy in Pakistan.