KARACHI: Seasoned parliamentarian and senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Syed Sardar Ahmad on Thursday announced that he was quitting the party and politics with “heavy heart” saying he did not consider himself fit anymore in the current political atmosphere which had seen disintegration of the party with “no one realising its disastrous impact”.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Ahmad sounded disappointed with the recent political situation mainly in Karachi, which had seen many ups and downs after the March 2015 raid on the MQM headquarters, popularly known as Nine Zero, by law enforcers.

In the beginning of the conversation, he said “personal reasons” were behind the decision to quit politics, but then shared his candid thoughts that led him to call it a day.

“I think I am done,” he said. “I served 15 years as an MPA. Earlier, I had served the government offices as civil servant so it’s more than enough for anyone. It’s time to take rest.”

When asked about the current state of politics and serious crisis faced by the MQM, Mr Ahmad poured his heart out and referred to several issues which convinced him to part ways with the party and politics.

“I tried several times but they [leaders of the MQM factions] don’t listen to anyone. I couldn’t make any difference,” he said.

“I don’t feel myself fit in this political atmosphere. The party which was once the largest single party [in terms of mandate in the urban areas of Sindh] has turned into three [factions] and no one is listening to the other,” he said.

Born in Ajmer (Rajasthan) in November 1933, Mr Ahmad joined Pakistan’s civil service in late 1950s and served key offices including Sindh chief secretary, Karachi commissioner and chairman of Port Qasim Authority in his over four-decade-old career.

Despite all “mess” and “crisis” in the MQM, he hasn’t lost all hope in the future, but says the job for the people at the helm of the party’s affairs will be tough.

Almost a decade after retiring from the civil service, Mr Ahmad in 2002 chose MQM for his political career when he had become a member of the Sindh Assembly on the ticket of the party which joined former president General Pervez Musharraf as his key ally both in the Centre and the province.

In 2008, Mr Ahmad continued to serve the party as an MPA when it joined the coalition government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He remained key member of the provincial cabinet in both terms and enjoyed membership of the provincial assembly for three consecutive terms.

“The key problem is that they [leaders of the MQM factions] don’t realise what’s going to happen if they don’t understand and handle the situation,” he said. “Soon they have to face elections of local bodies and other challenges, but things are not turning better. I never lose hope and that’s why I still believe that situation can turn better but this would be a tough job. I firmly believe that it’s high time to bring younger generation in the party. I tried this and even identified 15 to 20 young men who are sensible, talented and honest. But they [leaders of the MQM factions] don’t allow anyone to play their role for any good.”

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2018