KARACHI: The recent meeting between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and former president Asif Ali Zardari has started paying off as the MQM-P has finalised and conveyed its names to the PPP for the slot of Karachi administrator as part of their power-sharing deal.

The fresh development has raised eyebrows from other political stakeholders, who see the move as a grave violation of defined rules and against the spirit of democratic norms.

Although the leaders from both sides stayed tight-lipped and avoided sharing details, background interviews with those privy to the fresh development suggested that the MQM-P after meeting with former president Zardari had geared up to complete its part and agreed on two names to propose as new administrator of Karachi replacing incumbent Barrister Murtaza Wahab of the PPP.

“The MQM-P has finalised two names [for Karachi administrator],” said a source privy to the fresh development. “One is the party’s old comrade and former MNA Abdul Waseem and other is senior civil servant Dr Saifur Rehman.”

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The source said the names had been agreed upon by the PPP leadership. “One of them would hopefully be finalised in the next phase of meeting between the two parties, which are meeting frequently for the past one month.”

Responding to a query, Barrister Wahab, who is also the spokesperson for the Sindh government, said he had no information about any such development.

Replying to another question about bringing a new city administrator by the provincial government at a time when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had already put a ban on transfers and postings because the schedule of local government polls had already been announced across Sindh, he came up with a justification.

“Honestly speaking, I don’t know whether any such move [appointment of MQM’s man as Karachi administrator] is in process,” he said. “Although, the law and Constitution allow the government to appoint anyone considering the needs and administrative requirements, the election laws however make it very clear that at the time of elections no such appointment can be made without the approval of the Election Commission. So whenever any such situation arises, the Election Commission will be informed and an approval sought.”

Anger in other stakeholders

On the other hand, the development sends ripples through the political circles of the city.

The parties having political stakes in the city, who have gained enough grounds over the years amid “bad governance” in Sindh and at the Centre, question the move by the new political partners — MQM-P and PPP.

They mainly target the MQM-P, which itself was against the appointment of Barrister Wahab as Karachi administrator for his political affiliation.

At the same time a consensus between the two parties over a delay of local government polls also fan concerns of other political stakeholders, who believe that both PPP and MQM are deliberately avoiding the elections in fear of defeat and are facilitating each other in this “anti-democratic move”.

“Every day they [PPP-MQM-p] prove us right about our fears and assessment,” said Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

“These two never want elections. They want shortcuts and avoid going among the people because they know that they would be questioned about their performance. I wonder how these parties feel when they betray their voters and supporters for the vested interests of their leaders.”

“I don’t feel that the MQM would be ashamed of giving the names of its administrator only eight months after criticising the PPP for the same reason. It’s their history. You won’t find a word shame in their dictionary,” he said.

Former mayor and Pak Sarzameen Party chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal was not much different in his thoughts about the current situation. Describing the MQM-P and the PPP as ‘partners in crime’, he said that his party didn’t want the delay of even a single day in the LG polls.

“They are admitting what we were saying about them,” he said. “They know that it’s not 2018 when they were given a few seats for face-savings. They can’t go into the people. They have exposed themselves and they are doing it time and again.”

He said after joining hands with Mr Zardari, they had once again proved themselves how sincere they were with Karachi and its people. “We want elections within the stipulated time frame. Why they are so scared? Why they need to focus more on appointment of [Karachi] administrator? Elections should decide about the mandate and authority of governance.”

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2022