I wonder what the weather in London is like. MQM supremo seems to have over-reached himself by speaking against the armed forces in reacting to the claim by the SSP Malir that MQM was behind the target killings that have plagued Karachi. The SSP seems to be too small a fry to make such a big allegation, let alone say, as he did, that the MQM was as much a terrorist organization as the Taliban. Altaf responded personally, and crossed a red line when he said that those who had surrendered were the patriots. The armed forces do not like being reminded of 1971, no matter how obliquely.
It doesn’t help that 1971 led to the creation of Bangladesh, which is presently knocking the stuffing out of the Pakistan team, and though the Test in Khulna was drawn, it was only after Bangladesh in its second innings set all kinds of records, and generally showed what could happen if a side that once barely put up an XI for the Patron’s Trophy, was given Test Status. Their 555-6 was not just their highest against Pakistan, but also their third highest of all time, not to forget their highest ever in a second innings. It might also explain the Army penchant for the PTI. We all know about the PTI’s for the Army. However, while it is worth remembering that the man who surrendered at Dacca in 1971, Lt Gen A.A.K. Niazi, was present at Imran Khan’s first marriage, it’s worth remembering that that marriage ended in a break-up. You know, Altaf shares that with Imran. The marriage break-up, that is. Maybe he should emulate Imran’s solution: a dharna then a second marriage. But before that, Altaf presumably, has businesss. He needs to drill a few holes. To hang pictures; not in anybody’s knees. And he has nothing to do with any sacks.
Of course, the MQM’s own Rabita Committee came up with the best take on Altaf’s remarks: he didn’t make them. Then who did? Not the Committee’s problem. Again I am reminded of the late and esteemed Rana Phool Muhammad, father of the Punjab acting Governor, who said that you could say what you want, and then take back your words. Of course, you take back your words when you speak them in a House. If you speak them during a speech, you just say you never said them. Or better still, have a Rabita Committee say that you didn’t. Maybe the Rabita Committee merely meant Altaf didn’t mean to say anything against the armed forces. Well, I suppose anyone asked by Muhajirs bearing drills, would say so, out of consideration for their knees.
Imran, though, has presumably got more on his hands because of the conspiracy against his party, which was shown by the torrential rain in Peshawar. That the rain fell nowhere else showed that all those who died there were killed just to make the PTI government there look bad, and that too before the local body elections there.
However, there was also an earthquake in Nepal, where the PTI is not in office. The rains (which also occurred in Lahore) may well be linked to that earthquake, and both may well be part of the global warming scenario. Global warming has not had any effects yet except for the dengue outbreaks. Yes, the aedes aegyptus mosquito, which spreads the dread fever, is spreading outside its old stamping grounds because there is more water out there, and the temperature is friendlier. It never rains but it pours, because it means that there will be more swamps and swampy ground around, which means good old-fashioned malaria will be making a comeback as a killer. And just so that we don’t grow complacent, all those illnesses swept away by antibiotics, like tuberculosis, are making a comeback with antibiotic-resistant strains.
Well, as far as Imran Khan is concerned, the antibiotic-resistant germs can take a backseat, because not only the rain is conspiring against him, but he was made to look bad by the militant attack on National Party chief Aftab Sherpao. Not only was the law and order situation in the province shown to be as bad as the rest of the country, but it was again reminded of the National Party, formerly a coalition partner, but thrown out allegedly for corruption.
Meanwhile, almost as if to show that the excuse not to fight the Houthis wasn’t correct, y’know, that the Army has its hands full with anti-militancy operations, the Saudis have carried out a revision of the succession. Considering that Saudi Arabia takes an interest in our politics, they should have no objection if we do in theirs. And besides, we’re involved. The very fact that Saudi Arabia thought we would go, was enough to involve us. Also, even though the Saudis are involved in the fight against the Houthis, King Salman didn’t hesitate over the changes. Well, apart from being decisive, he might well feel he doesn’t really have enough time.
At the end of the day, though, whatever is the name of the King, our boys will go in, because it is in the national interest. Anyone who says it isn’t, is obviously working for Pakistan’s enemies.