All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies. - John Arbuthnot In a major shift from its stated policy and, perhaps, goals the MQM has finally decided to join mainstream politics, and in this process has come out from its shell of being nothing more than an ethnic group. Perhaps, MQM leader Altaf Hussain, who remains in self-imposed exile in London, has decided that in case his party intends to achieve any political goals, then the only way was to achieve the required political support by organising his party in the province of Punjab. Previously, MQM has been embroiled - rightly or wrongly - in a campaign that has tarnished its image more specifically amongst the masses of the Punjab due to the fact that in the 80s and 90s Punjabi settlers were elbowed out of Karachi and Hyderabad - the two urban strongholds of MQM in Sindh. For some MQM was nothing but an ethnic group that thrived on the anti-Punjab slogan. So this belief, ultimately, resulted in creating serious impediments in the growth of MQM as a national political party. It is well known to Altaf Hussain and the other leaders of MQM that their party worked more like a regiment of the army, rather than as a broad-based political entity. This has so far resulted not only in impeding the growth of the group but has also resulted in the stagnation of MQM just, as the Jamat-i-Islami has suffered because of its basic defect of working as a regimental group, rather than a political party with popular appeal. The first convention arranged by Altaf in Punjabs three urban centres were not as impressive as his appeal receives the attention in Hyderabad or Karachi. Like a typical political leader, Altaf raised the slogan of corruption and against the feudal system that remains in pockets of the Punjab province. He promised that in case the MQM was voted into power it would resolve the Kashmir issue, ensure a uniform education system and retire the foreign debt of Pakistan by selling the lands of the feudals. These slogans have been raised on several occasions, and have always been defined as too good to be true, but nonetheless it has sent a loud signal to the political parties like PML-N, PML-Q and above all PTI, who raises similar slogans to attract the attention of the vast majority of the poor people in the province. Nevertheless, most of the Punjabis remain sceptical about the intentions of Altaf Hussain and would have been impressed more if he had chosen to come in person, instead of addressing them on telephone. The MQM leadership must understand the political psyche of this province and that was that they respected those leaders who could not be branded as cowards as was proved by the absence of Mian Nawaz Sharif, although he was put in forced exile by military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. In case Altaf Hussain had come down in person to Punjab, he would have definitely received a better welcome from the poor, who seem to be fed up with the political wrangles of the mainstream political parties in the country. Nonetheless, if MQM continues to make a sincere effort, it may become a reality in Pakistans most populous province with the passage of time. Otherwise, it will remain isolated. And will have no choice but to operate from the 'two islands of power it has successfully established in Karachi and Hyderabad. Another issue that continues to haunt MQM remains its image of a party of the establishment as was proved during Musharrafs tenure, who openly boasted of what he called his support in Karachi when unfortunately there was complete mayhem which resulted in the loss of precious lives in that city. The MQM has also on several occasions carried out the dictates of the establishment and has conveniently switched political sides according to the convenience and as such has damaged its political reputation, to a certain extent. Having said this, the coming days and months will establish whether Altaf Hussain is serious about establishing MQM as a mainstream political party and its present function as a regimental force is replaced with endeavours to open its gates to ordinary people who can become members of MQM without discrimination of being members who speak a specific language or belong to an ethnic group. In case, it starts to function as a normal political party in the country there is every chance that it will grow out from its present image and establish its credentials like any other national political party. Altaf Hussain will also have to change course in the present administrative structure of his party where there is virtually a one man control and no one can dare to have a dissenting voice within the MQM. However, the main point that may create difficulties for MQM to establish its roots in the Punjab could be the absence of its leader, who continues to live in London instead of being amongst the people. One hopes that Mr Hussain, who has the potential for mass appeal amongst the poor and downtrodden people of this country, will consider returning to his homeland and then playing mainstream politics without much hassle. Finally, it must be appreciated that Mr Altaf has taken a bold decision by trying to penetrate into areas where MQM has had no existence and has remained the bastions of political power for the other mainstream political parties of the country. One expects that the MQM Quaid will also try to establish his party in the other two provinces on the same lines that he has decided for the province of Punjab, and if the MQM works with a sense of purpose it may not be far away before it could establish itself as a political reality throughout the country instead of two pockets in the province of Sindh. The writer is a freelance columnist. Email: zarnatta@hotmail.com