MQM assassination: Is anyone safe?

Out of all that will be said about this assassination, there is one thing that will come as a shock to all - party leaders are no longer safe even if they are in exile.

Adnan Rasool September 17, 2010
Dr Imran Farooq's assassination is an event that is going to drastically change the dynamics of politics in Pakistan. The horrendous act committed in London, is going to have grave consequences in streets of Karachi and Hyderabad while causing tension as far as  Islamabad.

Out of all that will be said about this assassination, there is one thing that will come as a shock to all; party leaders are no longer safe even if they are in exile.

For years political leaders have gone into exile for fear of their lives to eventually safely return to Pakistan.

The MQM itself was the pioneer of operating a party from London through a sound system and using excellent communication and coordination. But Dr Imran’s assassination changes all that. Although still in mourning, the leaders of the party must be pondering what exactly has happened?

After more then a decade of safety and no unfortunate incidents, how have they ended up losing one of their founding members? The answers to these questions are going to have an impact not only for the party but for all associated with it or falling under its sphere of influence.

The message that was portrayed by this act is simple, no one is safe anymore, and nothing is off limits. It’s not just the MQM that should is concerned by this development, in fact every single political party is waking up to a new political reality today. MQM has lost a founding member - just months after losing a law maker in a target killing.

The riots that followed took the lives of over 75 people in Karachi. The point is, the riots that erupt now could possible be much worse and harder to contain. If there was ever a time that politicians needed to come together and have a long heart to heart discussion, now is pretty much it.

Considering the aftermath of the attack coupled with the floods and terrorism the country may be pushed further in to an abyss bouncing back from which could take decades.
WRITTEN BY:
Adnan Rasool Currently the Deputy Executive Director Center for Enterprise, Trade and Development, Adnan is also a political analyst working mainly on electoral politics and political campaign management. He tweets at @adnanrasool
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (20)

mussarat Hussain | 13 years ago | Reply Thank God MQM has finally realised "Deweaponisation" of Pakistan that I had been suggesting the government as reporer of the state-run news agency APP to purge country from the curse of terrorism although I faced tough resistance from the government Now it is the duty of every patriotic Pakistani to support MQM just for the save of fighting terrorism and saving Pakistan from further breakdown. (GOD FORBID). Being Human being first, our main mission should be to eliminate terrorism and save Pakistan instead of toeing lines of fanatic elements whoi are out to bring bad name to Islam and Pakistan. Mussarat Hussain, journalist Baltimore, MD
Tanvir | 13 years ago | Reply Imran Farooq,s murder was the most barberic act.He was a thorough gentleman, a dedicated worker. A great loss to MQM
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