Sindhs New Governor

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

Looks like the terms of the MQM’s agreement with the PML(Q) and Mush are coming out in the open.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_23-12-2002_pg1_1

Ibad lands at governor’s annexe in Islamabad

  • May meet Musharraf today
  • MQM says notification just a formality

By Shaukat Piracha

ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) ‘nominee’ for Sindh Governorship Mr Ishratul Ibad arrived here Sunday and was given governor’s protocol. He was accompanied by MQM Coordination Committee member Aftab Ahmed Shaikh.

Contrary to Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali’s observations, the MQM continues to project Mr Ibad as the party’s candidate for the slot. MQM leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Shaikh Liaqat Hussain, Nasreen Jalil and others welcomed him at the airport.

MQM sources told Daily Times that the authorities vacated the Governor’s annexe at the Sindh House, Islamabad for Mr Ibad. “Mr Ibad’s notification as Governor Sindh is just a formality now and is expected any moment,” they added.

When asked to comment on the PM’s observation that there was no final candidate for Sindh governorship, MQM sources insisted that Mr Ibad was the party’s only choice. “If he had not been given the nod, why would he be invited to Pakistan?” they asked.

Mr Ibad is expected to call on General Pervez Musharraf today (Monday), sources further informed.Former Parliamentary leader of the MQM in the National Assembly Shaikh Liaqat Hussain informed Daily Times that soon after his arrival, the Governor-nominate Mr Ibad met with ‘high-ranking officials’. He also said Musharraf is to decide when Mr Ibad will take the oath.

Former MQM Senator Ms Nasreen Jalil told a group of reporters that the exact time for Mr Ibad’s meeting with the President and the Prime Minister had not been confirmed yet. She also said Mr Ibad had met with PML-QA leaders but chose not to disclose their names.

Shaikh Liaqat Hussain, Dr Farooq Sattar and Nasreen Jalil left for Karachi Sunday evening whereas Mr Aftab Sheikh reportedly stayed with Mr Ibad to assist him in the official meetings.

Farhan Reza adds from Karachi: Dr Ibad will not come to Karachi until he meets the president and the PM, Ms Nasreen Jalil told Daily Times. “Dr Ibad will not reach Karachi before meeting President Musharraf and Prime Minister Jamali,” she said. Ms Jalil said MQM had not received any confirmation from the Presidency, but Dr Ibad is expected to meet him on Monday. She also said MQM had not put forward any other name for Sindh Governorship.

Commenting on Prime Minister’s recent statement, she said Mr Jamali did not say that he would not support the MQM candidate. He only implied that Dr Ibad was not his nominated candidate. She said it is the president and not the prime minister who nominated the governor. Ms Jalil said MQM did not feel any change of policy within Pakistan Muslim League (QA) viz a viz MQM’s demand for the governorship.

MQM will hand over a list of 12 MPAs to the Sindh chief minister in two days for the future provincial cabinet.

“We have finalized 12 names which would be forwarded to the chief minister in two days by Mr Ibad,” said Mr Shoaib Bokhari, deputy convener MQM.

Bokhari said MQM would get 12 portfolios including home department and local government. “The cabinet would be formed within this week,” he said.

2

Sindhi or Urdu makes no difference, says Altaf Hussain
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_23-12-2002_pg7_18

  • ‘Feudal system must end for development of national identity’

Staff Report

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday said the MQM had, despite its majority, accepted a chief minister from a minority coalition partner. “We have proved that we can accept a Sindhi chief minister even though he is from a party that has got far less of a mandate than us,” he said.

“We do not dispute whether a chief minister or a governor speaks Sindhi or Urdu,” the MQM chief said addressing the ‘Mohajir Convention’ organised by the Mohajir Rabita Council.

He demanded the name of the Frontier province be changed from NWFP to Pukhtunistan. “Such a change in name is not treason. When the Punjabi speaking province can be called Punjab, why should the NWFP not be named after the ethnic majority living there.”

He said the establishment’s policy of treating other nations as second grade citizens had been hindering the concept of Pakistan as one nation. He demanded the feudal system be uprooted.

Altaf Hussain said only Punjabis were considered patriotic by the establishment because of the presence of a large number of Punjabi speaking people in the army. “The army is the biggest power in the establishment and Punjabis have dominated it. This has become the justification for calling Punjabis more patriotic than other ethnic entities, because the latter have less representation in the army,” he said. “The establishment treats Urdu speaking people as outsiders.”

He said such discriminatory policies had hindered the development of a single national identity in Pakistan. He cited the example of India where, he said, the concept of one Indian nation flourished despite a host of deeply rooted cultures and languages. He believes India achieved this by eradicating feudalism. He said the concept of cultural pluralism could not flourish if the various nationalities were not recognised and respected.

He said the idea that Mohajirs too were Pakistanis had finally kicked in and soon “the children of Pakistan’s founders” would be the base of a strong middle class in the country. “Now, the children of immigrants have decided they will not break their emotional and physical ties to this land,” Altaf Hussain said. He called Sindhi-Mohajir clashes a conspiracy to break the unity of oppressed classes.

Earlier, the convention passed a resolution condemning anti Muslim riots in India and demanding the United Nations declare India a terrorist state because of its atrocities in Kashmir, Gujarat and other Indian states.

The convention demanded the government initiate a programme to provide jobs to Urdu-speaking youth and open doors for them in the army and civil service.

The convention said the National Finance Commission Award must be reviewed and Sindh given the same treatment as the other federating units. The convention demanded workers and students be given the right to form unions.

3

I wish MQM to work for the prosperity of the country, specially for Sindh province and City of Karachi, as they all talk about.

This has become the justification for calling Punjabis more patriotic than other ethnic entities, because the latter have less representation in the army.

Wrong!

Is he brianwashed? Why can't he prove his patriotism by coming to Pakistan rather than calling for Strike in Karachi, paralyzing the whole damn City from London. Rookie!

This kind of statment from Altaf ain't gonna work. Damn, Musharraf!

4

Governor of Sindh returns from London!

Ishrat-ul-Ibad Returns

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s nominee for the post of Sindh Governor, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad, finally returned on Sunday. According to officials Ishratul Ibad, a former provincial minister of Sindh, was given full protocol as Governor and he was staying at the Governor Annexe at the Sindh House, Islamabad, the bungalow used as official residence by Sindh Governor whenever he visits Islamabad for official purpose.

Ibad was accompanied by Muttahida leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Aftab Shaikh, Shaikh Liaquat Hussain and others. The party leaders told this scribe that the oath taking ceremony for the new governor would be held within a couple of days. The party sources said that December 26 was the tentative date for the oath-taking ceremony.

Sindh Governor Muhammadmian Soomro had handed over his resignation to President Gen Pervez Musharraf two days ago, the sources added. However, neither Governor Soomro nor his staff were available for confirmation. But officials confirmed that Soomro returned from federal capital on Sunday and was at his private residence.

5

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
I wish MQM to work for the prosperity of the country, specially for Sindh province and City of Karachi, as they all talk about.

This has become the justification for calling Punjabis more patriotic than other ethnic entities, because the latter have less representation in the army.

Wrong!

Is he brianwashed? Why can't he prove his patriotism by coming to Pakistan rather than calling for Strike in Karachi, paralyzing the whole damn City from London. Rookie!

This kind of statment from Altaf ain't gonna work. Damn, Musharraf!
[/QUOTE]

Right PT.. He has played the ethnic card for too long. When the tensions with Sindhis were at the highest, Altaf the traitor had no problem appealing to Urdu speaker to hate Sindhis. Now he has turned to Punjabis as the problem...last time I checked MQM's hold was on urban Sindh, HOW did they improve Karachi, Hyderabad, etc??

6

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by RajputFury: *

Right PT.. He has played the ethnic card for too long. When the tensions with Sindhis were at the highest, Altaf the traitor had no problem appealing to Urdu speaker to hate Sindhis. Now he has turned to Punjabis as the problem...last time I checked MQM's hold was on urban Sindh, HOW did they improve Karachi, Hyderabad, etc??
[/QUOTE]

RajputFury,

If you look at the meaning of MQM, you'd be amazed. First it was Mohajir Qaumi Movement, now it is Muthathad Qaumi Movement In the recent elections, MQM gave tickets to all the ethinicities living in Pakistan, including Punjabis.

Karachi has been a Hot Spot for MQM success in every elections. In recent, they lost their seats to religious parties as they failed to improve living conditions of the people of Karachi. I sincerely hope, they will do better this time. My relatives, who are currently living in Karachi, told me a week ago, that street lights, clean roads and all that social work has already been began and Karachi, the City of Lights, has somewhat returned to its normal condition, as it was in two decades ago. :)

7

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *
My relatives, who are currently living in Karachi, told me a week ago, that street lights, clean roads and all that social work has already been began and Karachi, the City of Lights, has somewhat returned to its normal condition, as it was in two decades ago. :)
[/QUOTE]

I don't live in karachi, but if what you say is true than we can thank the City government of Karachi under JI for all this.

8

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Ahmed: *

I don't live in karachi, but if what you say is true than we can thank the City government of Karachi under JI for all this.
[/QUOTE]

JI? :) Sure, they are also part of City Govt. of Karachi.

9

I have lost all respect for MQM. Now they are makign deals with the dictator.

10

Treatement like a Gentlemen :wink:

Ishrat Gets official Protocol on Arrival

ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement nominee for the office of Sindh governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad, arrived here in the early hours of Sunday. He was given official protocol and was driven straight to the governor’s annexe in the Sindh House.

Dr Ishratul Ibad avoided to face the press but sources in the Muttahida Qaumi Movement claimed that he was expected to meet President Pervez Musharraf on Monday in order to get a formal nod for appointment as the next governor of Sindh.

Earlier, in his interview to a London-based TV network at London Airport, the MQM leader described his return as the first phase of the confidence-building process which could culminate in the return of the party chief Altaf Hussain. However, he said a final decision in this respect would be taken by the MQM coordination committee in the light of people’s aspirations.

Responding to a question about recent terrorist strikes in Karachi, he said: **“We support the international campaign against terrorism and will take all actions according to the law.” ** :biggthumb:

To a query about the cases registered against his party workers over the last few years, he said: **“All these cases will be reviewed and injustices will be removed.” :k: **

When asked why his party surrendered its right to the office of chief minister and instead chose governorship, Dr Ishratul Ibad, who is also convener of the MQM coordination committee, said: “The decision in this regard was taken in the larger interest of the country and democracy.” :biggthumb: As far as the Mohajir community’s right to chief ministership was concerned, he said, all citizens had equal rights.

Sources said Dr Ishratul Ibad was most likely to be sworn in as the Sindh governor in the next couple of days.

Earlier, Dr Ishratul Ibad arrived at the Islamabad Airport by PIA flight PK-786 at 6.20am. He was accompanied by the Muttahida’s deputy convener Aftab Shaikh. Senior leaders of the party, including Dr Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil and Shaikh Liaquat, were present at the airport to receive the MQM leaders.

**A sizable number of Muttahida MNAs, including women legislators, were also present to welcome their leader who returned home after nine years. ** :wink:

Aftab Shaikh, it may be mentioned, has been reinstated by Altaf Hussain only a couple of days ago. Aftab Shaikh was suspended from the party’s senior post a month back on charges of working against the party interests.

An official car from the Sindh House’s protocol was sent to the airport to take Dr Ishrat to his abode in Islamabad till he is invited by the president for a formal meeting.

Talking to Dawn, Nasreen Jalil said that Dr Ishratul Ibad was avoiding to talk to the press till a notification of his appointment as governor was issued and he held meetings with the president and the prime minister.

Dr Ishratul Ibad had left the country in 1993 in the aftermath of a massive crackdown on the MQM workers and since then remained in exile in London.

Earlier, there was a confusion over Dr Ibad’s arrival and his appointment as the Sindh governor amid reports that a certain group in the ruling hierarchy was opposed to his appointment in view of various cases that were pending against him in courts.

However, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and Chief Minister Sindh Ali Mohammad Mahar said in recent days that there were no serious cases against the MQM leader.

11

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *

My relatives, who are currently living in Karachi, told me a week ago, that street lights, clean roads and all that social work has already been began and Karachi, the City of Lights, has somewhat returned to its normal condition, as it was in two decades ago. :)
[/QUOTE]

Being a frequentor visitor to Karachi for the last decade or so, I have only noticed what you describe happening during the last three years i.e. since General Musharraf took power. Additionally, as Ahmed has mentioned, Karachi has a JI Nazim (Naimatullah Khan) and JI-majority city assembly. I have seen first hand how they are actively trying to better the city, and we must give them credit for this.

Pre-1999 the MQM did nothing but destroy the city of Karachi, along with the Haqeeqi terrorists. Even if they get the Governor's slot, I hope they are not allowed to curtail the powers of the City Nazim and government.

12

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Malik73: *

Being a frequentor visitor to Karachi for the last decade or so, I have only noticed what you describe happening during the last three years i.e. since General Musharraf took power.
[/quote]

Correct! Right on Malik!

[quote]
Additionally, as Ahmed has mentioned, Karachi has a JI Nazim (Naimatullah Khan) and JI-majority city assembly. I have seen first hand how they are actively trying to better the city, and we must give them credit for this.
[/quote]

That's for sure, but don't forget majority of MQM as well. ;)

[quote]
Pre-1999 the MQM did nothing but destroy the city of Karachi, along with the Haqeeqi terrorists.
[/quote]

Yeah, you can blame them for destruction, not BB and NS.

[quote]
Even if they get the Governor's slot, I hope they are not allowed to curtail the powers of the City Nazim and government.
[/QUOTE]

Aray yaar Malik, let it come ;)

13

PT, I see you are getting very excited over MQM. You must be happy that they have sold out to your dictator Musharraf.

14

Ain’t my new signature accurate?

:hehe: Sold out or made a deal with a Mohajir? :wink:

15

A dictator is a dictator.

16

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Imdad Ali: *

A dictator is a dictator.
[/QUOTE]

Yep, but we gotta Liberal one! ;)

17

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *

RajputFury,

If you look at the meaning of MQM, you'd be amazed. First it was Mohajir Qaumi Movement, now it is Muthathad Qaumi Movement In the recent elections, MQM gave tickets to all the ethinicities living in Pakistan, including Punjabis.

Karachi has been a Hot Spot for MQM success in every elections. In recent, they lost their seats to religious parties as they failed to improve living conditions of the people of Karachi. I sincerely hope, they will do better this time. My relatives, who are currently living in Karachi, told me a week ago, that street lights, clean roads and all that social work has already been began and Karachi, the City of Lights, has somewhat returned to its normal condition, as it was in two decades ago. :)
[/QUOTE]

Glad to know that changes have been made. I want Karachi to return to the engine of growth and deveolpment it used to be. I have always linked Karachi to be the barometer for Pakistan, if Karachi is on the rise then so will Pakistan.

18

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by RajputFury: *

Glad to know that changes have been made. I want Karachi to return to the engine of growth and deveolpment it used to be. I have always linked Karachi to be the barometer for Pakistan, if Karachi is on the rise then so will Pakistan.
[/QUOTE]

Right on RajputFury!

I've feeling MQM will do much better along with Religious Parties, as they have been screwed not once but twice by Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto; and the reasons I've said about Karachi coming back to its normal life, will certainly help Country's trouble Economy.

19

Idealogically the MQM and MMA are poles apart, the MQM is a secular ethnic Party...the MMA is a religious party which doesn't accept ethnicity.
I believe when the election results came out the MMA and MQM supporters ahd some fairly nasty clashes in karachi

20

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zakk: *
I believe when the election results came out the MMA and MQM supporters ahd some fairly nasty clashes in karachi
[/QUOTE]

Correct, Zakk.

It was because MQM lost seats to MMA. First MQM called elections were rigged. After alot of thinking, they have accepted to Join the Govt.